You're introducing a new technological innovation. How can you gain the trust of skeptical stakeholders?

Credibility builds itself, and the more successful history you build with the team, the more credibility you will gain. The best way to convince the stakeholders is to ensure it works and then show the initial results. For example, if you're implementing a new software tool, to start off, ensure the first few prototypes effectively demonstrate the core idea and prove it can scale. Then, show them the data that proves the value proposition, e.g., how much time or money it saved the team. Next, share the roadmap and explain how their support will amplify the product's impact. This approach provides concrete evidence, making it easier to gain stakeholder support.

To gain the trust of skeptical stakeholders when introducing a new technological innovation, I would start by clearly communicating the benefits and potential ROI, aligning the innovation with their strategic goals and needs. Providing data-driven evidence, case studies, or pilot results that demonstrate the innovation’s value can help build credibility. I’d also involve stakeholders early in the process, allowing them to voice concerns and provide input, which fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration. Offering a detailed implementation plan with risk management strategies shows preparedness, while regular updates and transparency throughout the project build confidence and trust in the initiative.

Acknowledge and address potential risks associated with the technology, along with your strategies for mitigating them. Being upfront about challenges and how you plan to handle them builds trust and reassures stakeholders of your preparedness and reliability.

Create structured communication channels for ongoing dialogue with stakeholders. Regular updates, feedback sessions, and transparent discussions about progress and challenges ensure that stakeholders remain informed and engaged throughout the development process, fostering trust and collaboration.

70% of the success of the introduction of a new technology depends on people, culture and change. Engaging teams right from the beginning is key to overcome their sceptithism and give them the opportunity to understand and discover the value of the technology by themselves.

Skip the PowerPoint and build a functional PoC. Demo it to product and technical stakeholders to make it real, prove its technical feasibility, and build confidence in both the technology and the product's value to customers

Provide measurable data to support the claimed benefits of your innovation. Use metrics such as ROI, performance improvements, or cost reductions to illustrate its tangible value. Concrete numbers help stakeholders understand the practical advantages and justify the investment.

O porque é uma das partes mais importantes na hora de explorar uma nova tecnologia. Se não houver valor de fato, pode parecer que você está fazendo algo apenas pela emoção de fazer. Tudo o que você fizer em inovação tecnológica tem que estar conectado diretamente a um problema de negócio, que seja claramente percebido como valioso para a organização quando resolvido.

Reach out to the stakeholders to understand the concerns early on. In my experience, you might not have a solution for all concerns, but you should keep them on your roadmap and come back to the stakeholders once you have a solution. Understanding the technology better and the way it works helps some persons in gaining trust.