Your stakeholder challenges your decision-making process. How will you defend your choices?

When a stakeholder questions your decision-making process, it can be a daunting challenge. However, it's also an opportunity to demonstrate your competence and the robustness of your decisions. Your ability to effectively communicate and justify your choices is not just about defending your actions; it's about reinforcing trust and confidence in your leadership. Remember, stakeholders have a vested interest in the outcomes of your decisions, and their scrutiny can often lead to improved decision-making and enhanced collaboration.

1 Listen First

Listening is a cornerstone of interpersonal skills, especially when a stakeholder challenges your decisions. When you find yourself in this position, it's crucial to listen actively to understand their concerns fully. This means giving them your undivided attention, acknowledging their points, and showing empathy for their perspective. By doing so, you create a foundation for constructive dialogue and show that you value their input, which can help de-escalate any tension and pave the way for a more reasoned discussion about your decision-making process.

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Jeffery Nicolaysen

Will Write For You! | Comment assassin raiding your threads like pilfered pockets for precious fantastical phrases | Definitely probably possibly maybe sorta not a troll | Currently canoodling your connections
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Active listening. The first step of any solution generation is exploring and understanding the problem. This holds additionally true if what appears to be the issue is actually a symptom. Cascade failure is a terrifying principle! It can also be disastrously expensive. Bringing us full circle, per my last email, to why you should invest in developing the appropriate solutions sooner than later!

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2 Explain Rationale

Once you've listened to the stakeholder's concerns, it's time to explain the rationale behind your decisions. You should articulate the objectives you aimed to achieve and the information you considered. Break down the steps of your decision-making process, making sure to highlight how each step was informed by data, expert opinions, or strategic goals. This transparency not only shows that your choices were not made arbitrarily but also helps stakeholders understand the context in which the decisions were made.

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Jeffery Nicolaysen

Will Write For You! | Comment assassin raiding your threads like pilfered pockets for precious fantastical phrases | Definitely probably possibly maybe sorta not a troll | Currently canoodling your connections
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At this stage in the game, I would hope you’ve had time to develop and road map any possible concerns that a Stakeholder or Executive could have. Ideally, you know the material inside and out, and have an immediately available justification regarding how you’ve preemptively addressed their concerns, itemized “D”, “H-b”, and “Article 4.61”. If not, have the team on call just in case, so you can immediately gather a consult from any relevant SMEs.

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Holly S.

Peak Performance is an Inside Job™ | Speaker | Consultant | Writer | Former CIA
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If you made a decision, you (should) know why you made it. Be transparent in relaying your process and respectful in delivery, recognizing their concerns are important and need to be addressed. Do your best not to sound defensive, but rather logical and patient. Answer questions as they come in response to your explanation.

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3 Show Benefits

Defending your choices involves demonstrating the benefits of your decisions. You should outline the positive outcomes you expect, how they align with the stakeholder's interests, and how they contribute to the broader objectives of the project or organization. By focusing on the benefits, you shift the conversation from confrontation to collaboration, as stakeholders can better see how your decisions serve the common goal and may contribute to shared success.

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Holly S.

Peak Performance is an Inside Job™ | Speaker | Consultant | Writer | Former CIA
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Use the BLUF principle - bottom line up front. "Focusing on the overarching goal(s) of ...... here's how this strategy will get us there" Lead with the part that matters to them.

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4 Address Concerns

Addressing specific concerns raised by stakeholders is critical in defending your decision-making process. Provide clear and concise responses to each issue, using evidence or examples where possible. If the concerns are valid, acknowledge them and discuss how you intend to mitigate any potential negative impacts. This approach shows that you're open to feedback and willing to adjust your plans if necessary, which can build trust and respect from your stakeholders.

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5 Offer Alternatives

Sometimes, despite your best efforts to defend your decisions, stakeholders may remain unconvinced. In such cases, it's helpful to offer alternatives or adjustments that could meet their needs without compromising the project's core objectives. This demonstrates flexibility and a willingness to collaborate, which can be crucial in maintaining positive relationships with your stakeholders. It also shows that you're committed to finding solutions that work for everyone involved.

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Jeffery Nicolaysen

Will Write For You! | Comment assassin raiding your threads like pilfered pockets for precious fantastical phrases | Definitely probably possibly maybe sorta not a troll | Currently canoodling your connections
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The human brain generally processes 3-5 pieces of information from short term to long term memory simultaneously. There’s tricks and ways to bump this to a degree, and you do find the occasional eidetics genius with a “flash photographic memory“, but it’s ultimately a Biopsychological based consistent guideline. Think of a phone number: 3 groups of 3 numbers (in the US) with 3-3-4 digits. Children and high performers tend to be processing a lot of information at any given moment. I assume two to three things are equally or of greater importance to them at this moment. Therefore, I have 2-3 options worth of “bandwidth” before, statistically speaking, it metaphorically begins going “in through one ear and out the other”.

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6 Next Steps

Finally, discussing next steps is an important part of defending your decision-making process. Outline the actions that will follow and how you will evaluate the success of your decisions. Involve stakeholders in this process by seeking their input on implementation and monitoring. This not only helps in addressing any lingering doubts but also ensures that they feel a part of the process moving forward. By being proactive about future steps, you reinforce the message that your decisions are part of a dynamic and ongoing process.

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Your stakeholder challenges your decision-making process. How will you defend your choices?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Listen First

2 Explain Rationale

3 Show Benefits

4 Address Concerns

5 Offer Alternatives

6 Next Steps

Interpersonal Skills

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Your stakeholder challenges your decision-making process. How will you defend your choices?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Listen First

2 Explain Rationale

3 Show Benefits

4 Address Concerns

5 Offer Alternatives

6 Next Steps

Interpersonal Skills

Rate this article

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