‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care’
This quote is often attributed to leadership and sales but should really be the mantra for stakeholder engagement.
If stakeholder engagement is something that is required for your organisation, it is likely because you have a project or initiative that requires buy-in before you can or should proceed. You’ve likely made significant investment in what you are proposing and ultimately gained a lot of knowledge on the proposal, but this knowledge is pointless if your stakeholders are not engaged.
What often times gets lost when planning the ‘what’ in stakeholder engagement (the consultations, statements of community interest, etc) is the how. How do you engage with your stakeholder in a way that surpasses superficial proof points and results in meaningful dialogue that provides you with useful local intel and them with the reassurance that you have their best interest at mind?
Stakeholder engagement is an essential part of a project’s progression. Approached incorrectly and you could end up with stakeholders who are dubious and apathetic. Approached meaningfully, and you are more likely to end up with stakeholders who engage – ask questions, provide crucial feedback on plans and ultimately help you to create something that takes the local community into account.
Get in touch with us if you need support with your stakeholder engagement efforts.
*The quote at the top of the page is often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt but, historians at the Theodore Roosevelt Center confirm there is no known record of him actually saying this.