Dive into the art of persuasion! Share your strategies for turning resistance into support.
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Communication, communication & more communication. Understand their reasons for resistance, resolve those with facts, involve them on each and every step and keep those communication lines open
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It is important to identify stakeholders early, understand their relationship to the programme (power/influence) and put in place a plan on how to communicate regularly and transparently with them. Where there is pushback, understand the why - a) lack of understanding of the updates? b) the perceived or real impact of the update? c) Are the stakeholders change weary? For a - change the format/presentation of the communication to stakeholders to deliver information more effectively. For b - select and hold sessions change champions to help understand their issues, brainstorm and implement short, medium and long term solutions. For c - educate, be transparent, provide support and engage with the stakeholders as much as is possible.
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To overcome resistance during program updates it is important to identify the source of frustration from those stakeholders and their reason for resisting. Some sources might be: 1. Lack of trust in the data/opposing data 2. Lack of involvement/understanding in the program 3. "I could do it better" syndrome Reasons for resistance might be: A. Create a better plan by poking holes B. Risk identification from a subject matter expert C. Opposition of the program's goals A person may be feeling one or a combination of these and how you tackle overcoming the resistance will depend on identifying their motivations. If 3, pull them in and ask for their help. If C, it may require an aside conversation with them and leadership to align everyone.
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As an experienced Program manager to overcome stakeholder resistance during program updates: ▶️I would first actively listen to their concerns to understand their perspectives. ▶️Building rapport is crucial, so I’d engage them in open dialogue, addressing their issues directly. ▶️I would present clear, data-driven insights demonstrating the program's value and alignment with their goals. ▶️Additionally, involving stakeholders in decision-making can foster ownership and reduce pushback. ▶️Lastly, I’d ensure regular communication and follow-ups to keep them informed and engaged throughout the process. How would you handle this situation?👇
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Communicate and make sure you involve the stakeholders early to ensure they have a sense of ownership in the programmatic changes . If you still have resistance then understand the root cause and take measures to address it while communicating the overall vision & benefits of the programs direction.
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