Connect & Communicate: Insights from Lenneage Consulting

If you’ve ever tried to get a group of stakeholders to read an email, show up to a meeting on time, or (gasp) make a decision, then you know—it’s like herding cats.

Stakeholders are busy. They have their own priorities, competing demands, and a magical ability to disappear when you need their input the most. But without their engagement, your project stalls, risks increase, and you’re left chasing approvals like a cat chasing a laser pointer—except way less fun.

So, how do you get stakeholders involved, keep them engaged, and ensure they actually contribute when it matters most? Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Identify the Key Players (and Their Motivations)

Not all stakeholders are created equal. Some hold decision-making power, others just want updates, and some only show up when things go wrong. The trick is to understand who they are and what they care about.

🔹 The Power Players – These are your executives, decision-makers, and gatekeepers. Keep them informed but don’t overwhelm them with details.

🔹 The Hands-On Experts – SMEs, department heads, or team leads who have valuable insights but are often juggling multiple priorities.

🔹 The Passive Observers – Stakeholders who don’t contribute much but still need visibility. Keep their engagement light but consistent.

🔹 The Last-Minute Surprisers – The ones who ghost your meetings, ignore emails, and then swoop in at the last second with “concerns.”

Plan for them early to avoid derailing your project.

Step 2: Speak Their Language (Not Just Project Jargon)

One of the biggest mistakes project managers make? Assuming stakeholders care about project details as much as they do. Spoiler: They don’t.

• Executives want to know: How does this impact revenue, strategy, or risk? 
• Technical teams want to know: What’s changing, and how much work is this going to be?
• End-users want to know: How does this make my life easier?

Solution? Tailor your communication. Ditch the jargon. Make it easy for stakeholders to see why they should care.

Step 3: Make Engagement Easy (and Inescapable)

Let’s face it: stakeholders don’t engage when it’s inconvenient. Your job? Remove friction.

✅ Keep It Short & Actionable – Long emails get ignored. Meetings without a clear agenda are pointless. Keep updates tight and always include the ask.

✅ Use the Right Channels – Some stakeholders love Slack, others swear by email, and some won’t respond unless you grab them in the hallway. Adapt to their preferences.

✅ Schedule Smartly – If a key stakeholder keeps missing meetings, move the meeting to when they’re actually available (or get a decision in advance).

✅ Public Accountability Works – If someone keeps avoiding commitments, put their name next to their action item on a shared document or dashboard. A little public accountability goes a long way.

Step 4: Keep Stakeholders Engaged Without Micromanaging

🐾 Set Expectations Early – Define roles upfront so there’s no “I didn’t know I had to do that” excuses later. 🐾 Check in Regularly, But Strategically – Avoid bombarding them. A well-timed update is more effective than constant noise. 🐾 Celebrate Wins – People stay engaged when they see progress. Recognize contributions and highlight successes to keep stakeholders invested.

Final Thoughts: Turn Cat Herding into a Smooth Process

Managing stakeholders is part strategy, part psychology, and part sheer persistence. But when done right, it means fewer last-minute surprises, better decision-making, and a project that moves forward without unnecessary drama.



So, next time you find yourself chasing down a stakeholder for an update, take a deep breath and remember: you’re not just a project manager—you’re a cat whisperer in disguise.