Stop viewing stakeholders as adversaries to manage cover image
Product Management

Stop viewing stakeholders as adversaries to manage

Master stakeholder inclusion with these four essential lessons for Product Owners.

Maarten Dalmijn
Oct 04, 2021 • 9 min read
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Intermediate
Collaboration Norms
Inclusive Culture Building
Leadership Training
Mutual Respect
Organizational Strategy
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Summary

This article explores the transition from stakeholder management to stakeholder inclusion, offering four key lessons for Product Owners. It emphasizes the importance of saying no tactfully, practicing stoicism, understanding stakeholder interests, and including stakeholders in product vision and strategy. By shifting from a management to an inclusion mindset, Product Owners can foster better relationships and achieve more successful outcomes. Engage with these insights to enhance your stakeholder interactions and drive product success.

Takeaways

  • Emotional awareness and control are vital for effective communication.
  • Involving stakeholders in product vision fosters alignment and buy-in.
  • Saying no is crucial but must be done without damaging relationships.
  • Understanding stakeholder interests helps align them with company goals.
  • The key to working together with your stakeholder is by stopping viewing your stakeholders as adversaries and bringing them on the board in the product development process.
  • The strength of a product owner and stakeholder management skills should align for the product owner to be perfect and compatible.

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