I Don't Like You - Trust and how to Deal with the Toughest Form of Resistance

TL;DR

Building trust with stakeholders is crucial in project management, even if they don't like you personally.

Transcript

one of the things that project managers fear most is resistance from one or more of their stakeholders and one form of resistance is particularly hard to deal with they may not say it outright but this form of resistance amounts to them saying i don't like you so how can you deal don't like you i don't like you is a particularly difficult form of r... Read More

Key Insights

• ⚾ Resistance from stakeholders who don't like you may not be personal but based on perceived disruption or dissatisfaction with authority.
• ❓ Trust, rather than personal likability, is crucial in managing stakeholder resistance effectively.
• 🤳 The trust equation, considering credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation, provides a framework for building trust.
• 🚂 Common trust issues include credibility doubts, communication gaps, inadequate relationship dynamics, and mistrust of motives.
• 👋 Addressing trust issues involves actions such as demonstrating expertise, improving communication, building stronger relationships, and emphasizing greater good intentions.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can project managers deal with stakeholder resistance centered around personal dislike?

The key is to focus on building trust rather than seeking personal likability. The trust equation, considering credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation, offers actionable insights to address weak areas and gain stakeholder trust.

Q: What are common trust issues project managers often face?

Common trust issues include stakeholders doubting the credibility of changes and those promoting them, feeling uninformed due to perceived insufficient communication, lacking the right kind of relationship to share concerns comfortably, and mistrusting the motives of the organization or individuals within it.

Q: How can project managers address trust issues and strengthen trust with stakeholders?

Understanding which elements of the trust equation are weak allows project managers to take deliberate actions. For credibility, demonstrating expertise and valid arguments can reassure stakeholders. Increasing communication and transparency can address reliability. Building stronger relationships and creating a comfortable environment for sharing concerns can improve intimacy. And ensuring stakeholders understand the greater good behind actions and motives can minimize self-orientation concerns.

Q: Will building trust make stakeholders like you?

Building trust does not guarantee personal likability, but it fosters a professional and respectful relationship. Stakeholders will trust you and be more willing to work with you in a constructive manner.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Stakeholder resistance is a common fear for project managers, with one challenging form being when stakeholders don't like you personally.

• However, it may not be about you; it could be about what you represent or the perceived disruption you are causing.

• Building trust through credibility, reliability, intimacy, and reducing self-orientation is key to addressing stakeholder resistance.