July Newsletter: Thrive in Five
💬 1. Check out the latest Evans white paper.
For project managers looking to elevate their project outcomes, the white paper “Introduction to Effective Stakeholder Management” from Evans Senior Comms Consultant, Sara Gustafson, is a must-read.
Stakeholder management is pivotal in achieving project success. In the white paper, Sara shares theoretical knowledge and practical strategies for identifying, engaging, and managing stakeholders effectively. Equip yourself with this indispensable guide and techniques to drive better project performance and build stronger stakeholder relationships.
⚒️ 2. Pair this workbook with our white paper.
To complement your understanding of stakeholder management, download the accompanying workbook for resources to identify and engage stakeholders for your project’s success.
This comprehensive resource offers stakeholder management and engagement best practices. Highlights include a customizable stakeholder analysis grid, insightful interview questions, and a strategic engagement grid, all designed to empower you in crafting effective engagement initiatives. By leveraging these tools, you’ll not only streamline your approach but also ensure that your projects resonate with stakeholders at every level.
💡3. Use these tips to thrive in your role.
To further sharpen your skills in stakeholder engagement, we recommend “10 Tips for Inspiring Employee Buy-In”.
While the recommendations primarily address organizational change, they’re also valuable for project management applications. The article is full of tips for securing stakeholder support, which is critical for the success of any project. Learn practical approaches to effectively communicate your vision and align stakeholder interests, ultimately leading to enhanced collaboration and commitment.
🧊 4. Do this icebreaker activity with your team.
Ask a never question:
- What are you never doing?
- What have you never done but would like to?
- What did you never think (when you were young) that you would be doing as an adult?
- What is a skill that you’ve never had the chance to develop but would like to?
“Never” questions are powerful icebreakers in team settings, especially before brainstorming sessions. They encourage open dialogue in a relaxed atmosphere, allowing team members to share their perspectives without fear of judgment. By exploring what individuals avoid, the team can uncover unspoken assumptions and barriers. This fosters vulnerability and deeper connections among team members. Such discussions often lead to unexpected insights, sparking creative thinking and innovation as everyone considers alternatives and challenges the status quo together. Consequently, “never” questions lay the groundwork for more dynamic brainstorming, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
⚒️ 5. Add a new tool to elevate your leadership.
The virtual whiteboard template “Rose, Thorn & Bud” is a great exercise to incorporate into your stakeholder engagement strategy for enhanced effectiveness.
This dynamic exercise allows you to gather feedback in an approachable and manageable way, transforming what often feels like a daunting process into a seamless and organic part of your project flow. The “Rose” represents what’s thriving, the “Thorn” highlights the challenges, and the “Bud” uncovers potential improvements. By adopting this creative approach, you’ll foster productive discussions and cultivate an environment where feedback is welcomed.
