Setting Boundaries with Stakeholder Requests

They Weren’t Even on the Project… But They Still Had Opinions. Ever had a stakeholder who feels involved but technically isn’t? Here’s how I handle “perceived stakeholders” who influence projects without official decision-making power, and how you can too (in 3 steps that take less than 10 minutes a week). A few years ago, I led a cross-functional project that spanned ops, finance, and IT. One department leader wasn’t in the official stakeholder group, but they thought they were. They chimed in during meetings, sent “approval” emails, and gave feedback that confused the team. The tension? Real. The confusion? Costly. The fix? Surprisingly simple. Here’s what I learned (and what I still do today): ✅ Step 1: Classify Every Stakeholder (Yes, even the “unofficial” ones) Use a RACI matrix or stakeholder mapping tool. I always tag these folks as “Interested, not Accountable”. That distinction lets me clarify their role without stepping on egos. ✅ Step 2: Pre-Frame Communication with a Purpose I say: “You’re a valued voice in the org and I wanted to keep you in the loop, but I also want to respect your time and clarify that this is more FYI than action-required.” It signals respect and sets boundaries. ✅ Step 3: Create a “Perception of Involvement” Without Adding Risk Send curated updates biweekly. One slide. One summary. No decisions needed. People want to feel included, not responsible, and this gives them that, without derailing the project. Why this works: 🔹 It reduces scope creep 🔹 It clarifies accountability 🔹 It protects team morale and timeline I’ve repeated this across organizations, cross-departmental projects, and it’s reduced stakeholder conflict by over 70%. If you’re managing change, cross-functional initiatives, or digital transformation, this simple strategy protects your timeline and your relationships. Because let’s be honest—every stakeholder is a potential roadblock or a future ally. How you handle them today determines which one they’ll be tomorrow. Want more frameworks for stakeholder alignment, project clarity, and leading with influence? 👉 Subscribe or follow for weekly leadership tips that cut through the noise and help you lead smarter in real time. #ProjectManagement #StakeholderEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment

How I turned chaos into collaboration. All by asking the right questions. Stakeholder engagement isn’t easy. I once worked with a stakeholder who didn’t trust her team. She believed control was the only way to get results. Her working style caused chaos: → She would agree one day. → And, change her mind the next. The team was frustrated. → Deadlines were slipping. → Team morale was dropping. And I needed to fix this issue. Here’s how I shifted her mindset and got her to trust the process: 1. I asked, “What’s your biggest worry?” → I genuinely listened to her concerns. → I realized her constant changes came from fear of failure. 2. I asked, "How can we stick to a plan?" → I shared a roadmap with defined milestones and explained the impact of last-minute changes. → She agreed to revisit decisions only during weekly reviews. 3. I asked, " Can you take ownership here?". → I assigned her specific deliverables to oversee. → Sharing regular updates reduced her doubts. 4. I asked, "What type of data will build your trust?" → Every week, I showed progress with data. → She saw the team could deliver. The result? → No more frantic emails. → No last-minute changes. → She trusted the team and the plan. Takeaways: 1. Listen to your stakeholders’ concerns. 2. Set clear boundaries. 3. Give ownership so they can drive without control. 4. Build you trust by consistently supporting them. In just three weeks, I turned chaos into collaboration. This wasn’t just a win for the project it transformed how we worked together.   So, I always say, you don’t manage stakeholders; you engage them. Ask questions → Set boundaries → Build trust. PS: What’s your story of turning a difficult stakeholders around?

#thursday4appraisers Three types of valuation requests exist. Urgent, super urgent, and 'why isn't it done already?' Sound familiar? In my years of providing valuation support, I've learned that managing expectations is an art form. The reality isn't just about crunching numbers. It's about: → Managing multiple client requests (sometimes all "urgent") → Hunting down the right comparables  → Double-checking every single number → And somehow keeping everyone happy along the way Here's how to master the art… 1. Transparency is your best friend • Be upfront about timelines • Explain your process clearly • Keep clients in the loop, always 2. Set clear boundaries • Define what's possible in given timeframes • Explain why rushing isn't in their best interest • Offer realistic alternatives when needed 3. Quality > Speed (always) • Document everything meticulously • Verify data from multiple sources • Build foolproof quality checks It's amazing how understanding they become when they see the actual work involved. Remember: We're not just pushing papers - we're building the foundation for major business decisions. That's why getting it right matters more than getting it fast. What's your experience? How do you handle those "I need it yesterday" requests while maintaining your standards? #businessvaluation #clientmanagement