Thinking about hidden agendas can be unhelpful.
From the An Influential Project Manager Blog
by Colin Gautrey
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The term "hidden agendas" creates negative thinking. Altering your words will alter your options. Hidden implies a deliberate act of concealment.
Stakeholders don't want you to know something. Is that true or just a figment of your imagination?
By using the label "hidden agenda," you are more likely to introduce other negative thoughts, especially about the individual concerned. Instead, think more in terms of "unknown agendas." They may not have had time to tell you yet. It may just be a case that you haven't asked the right question.
Just because you don't know something doesn’t mean they are hiding things.
- Think of your stakeholders. What are the main unknown agendas?
- If you were in their shoes, why would you hide your agenda?
- What other possibilities are they for you not knowing what their agenda is?
- What can you do today to begin to discover more about their agendas?
Thinking about hidden agendas may make you suspicious of others, and they may notice that and wonder why you are not trusting them. Be careful what you think.
Posted on: January 17, 2017 11:59 PM |
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Comments (4)
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Andy Kaufman
Host| People and Projects Podcast
Lake Zurich, Il, United States
That's a helpful reminder, Colin! I'm amazed at the stories I can conjure up about a situation when, in fact, I could be completely wrong.
Perhaps it's worth saying that stakeholders very well may have agendas they aren't specifically calling out. But what I like about your premise is that vocabulary matters. Instead of concluding there are hidden agendas, perhaps we re-frame the issue as risks or assumptions.
Thanks again for the idea!
Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
In business relationship there are hidden agendas of both the parties meant to exploit and benefit from a given situation ,while unknown agendas are the probable risks not envisaged earlier and forming part of allocated contingencies to be managed and provisioned by the stakeholders for their part.A true business agenda should attempt to get rid of these agendas through a collaborative effort by both the parties to the contract .
Karthik T
Senior Engineering Manager| Nike
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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