Episode 511: Managing Stakeholders - Building Trust for Project Success (Free)

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Episode Summary

Effective stakeholder management is critical to project success. This episode features Barbara Kephart, a UC Berkeley-certified project manager, who shares her expertise in building trust and navigating complex stakeholder dynamics. With decades of experience and a reputation as the "C-Suite Whisperer," Barbara provides insights into understanding stakeholder needs, managing their influence, and fostering collaboration for smoother project execution.

Barbara discusses the human element of stakeholder engagement, emphasizing the importance of communication, empathy, and trust-building. Listeners will learn to balance stakeholder power dynamics, use tools like power-interest grids effectively, and tailor communication to different audiences. Through real-world anecdotes, Barbara illustrates how even small gestures can transform relationships, reduce conflicts, and drive better project outcomes. This episode equips project managers with the tools to turn stakeholders into allies.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How to assess and navigate stakeholder power and influence effectively.
• Practical tips for building trust and maintaining transparency with stakeholders.
• Strategies for fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and preventing scope creep.
• Our cats' names and why even stakeholders can benefit from a personal touch.

My course · Nearly 6 hours · 5.75 PDUs

Mastering Business Analysis

Three stakeholders, one screen, three different answers. I sat down with business analysis expert Laura Brandenburg, CBAP, to talk through the work that turns that moment into requirements your team can actually build.

See the course on Udemy

Resources Mentioned

• Projects Pivot - Barbara's company specializing in stakeholder management and project delivery.
• Mastering Remote Leadership Strategies for Project Managers - Episode 507 featuring Wayne Turmel.

Quotes from This Episode

• "Stakeholders are people first; understanding their needs builds the foundation for trust." - Barbara Kephart
• "Trust and transparency aren’t one-time actions—they’re ongoing commitments throughout the project." - Cornelius Fichtner
• "Collaboration begins with recognizing the humanity in your stakeholders." - Barbara Kephart

Connect with Barbara Kephart

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarakephart/
• Website: https://www.projectspivot.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectsPivot

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00] - Introduction to stakeholder engagement strategies.
• [03:00] - Understanding stakeholder needs and the importance of empathy.
• [06:10] - Power and influence in stakeholder dynamics.
• [10:05] - Tools like power-interest grids and how to use them effectively.
• [15:00] - Building trust and maintaining transparency with stakeholders.
• [25:01] - Strategic communication and tailoring stakeholder updates.
• [33:01] - Fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• [36:55] - The cats are mentioned.
• [38:21] - Avoiding scope creep while maintaining stakeholder engagement.
• [44:00] - Conflict mitigation strategies for smoother project execution.