You're facilitating a session with resistant stakeholders. How do you navigate their pushback effectively?
Dealing with resistant stakeholders requires tact and strategy. To turn pushback into participation, consider these steps:
- Establish common ground by highlighting shared goals and outcomes.
- Listen actively to understand their concerns and validate their feelings.
- Offer data-driven solutions that address their issues while steering towards consensus.
What strategies have worked for you when engaging with resistant stakeholders?
You're facilitating a session with resistant stakeholders. How do you navigate their pushback effectively?
Dealing with resistant stakeholders requires tact and strategy. To turn pushback into participation, consider these steps:
- Establish common ground by highlighting shared goals and outcomes.
- Listen actively to understand their concerns and validate their feelings.
- Offer data-driven solutions that address their issues while steering towards consensus.
What strategies have worked for you when engaging with resistant stakeholders?
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1. Understand the Root of Their Resistance 2. Remain Calm and Stay Neutral 3. Clarify the Objectives and Benefits 4. Engage in Collaborative Problem-Solving 5. Use Data and Evidence 6. Give Stakeholders a Sense of Control
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Reconheço as preocupações das partes envolvidas para ajudar a criar um ambiente psicologicamente seguro; Faço perguntas abertas para explorar os motivos por trás da resistência; Garanto que fique claro o objetivo da sessão para minimizar mal entendidos e que fujam do foco.
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When facilitating a session with resistant stakeholders, here’s how I handle pushback: 🔹 Acknowledge their concerns – Resistance usually comes from uncertainty or past experiences. Listen first. 🔹 Ask the right questions – Instead of defending, get them talking. “What’s your biggest concern about this change?” 🔹 Find common ground – Align on shared goals before tackling disagreements. 🔹 Stay calm & factual – Keep it about the data, impact, and business outcomes, not personal opinions. 🔹 Involve them in the process – People resist what they don’t feel part of. Give them ownership in shaping the direction. The key is not to fight resistance but to redirect it into collaboration.
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To add to what has been said, especially by Saba, 1. Engage them to understand their concerns. Have them voice out reasons for their resistance. If the session is being delayed, appeal to them to discuss further during break and make sure to follow through. Once you have come to a common ground, take the discussion back to the session to ensure that everyone is on the same page. 2. Don't just hear them out, actively listen so that they feel appreciated. 3. Consider their feedback/concerns in consensus building and/or in concluding the session. 4. Check back with them to know of their concerns have been addressed before wrapping up the session. 5. If there are pending issues, make sure to engage afterwards for closure.
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In my experience: Listen, observe who's who and their motives, explain why the session will be of benefit to the group and the organization, and elaborate on positive comments from other stakeholders.
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