What is your strategy to build working relationships with the business stakeholders?

My strategy is to identify the short list of stakeholders who have the greatest impact on success or failure and then building alignment with them as early as possible. From there, my approach is to adapt communication style, level of detail, cadence, and communication medium to stakeholder needs. I find that two tools that are helpful in this are a stakeholder analysis and a communication and engagement plan.

Building strong working relationships with diverse business stakeholders goes far beyond managing project tasks and deliverables—it's fundamentally about understanding people, their contexts, and what enables them to feel respected, heard, and aligned. Over the years, I’ve worked with stakeholders across multiple regions, cultures, and levels of digital or AI proficiency. A few strategies have consistently helped me build trust and effective collaboration: Before discussing project work, I take time to learn about a stakeholder’s cultural norms, communication style, decision‑making preferences, and organizational environment. This helps me anticipate how they might engage, what motivates them, and how best to tailor our interactions. Whether someone is an AI expert or new to digital tools, whether they prefer structured documentation or informal conversation—I adjust my approach to ensure they feel supported and confident. This encourages open dialogue. A simple personal touch—asking about their team, their priorities, or what success looks like for them—goes a long way. Genuine interest helps establish close working connection, which becomes the foundation for honest conversations and smoother problem-solving later. I work to create clarity around objectives, success metrics, and constraints upfront. When stakeholders see their perspectives reflected in the plan, alignment becomes easier and collaboration more natural. It helps stakeholders feel confident that they can depend on me. By combining cultural awareness, communication, and personal connection, I’m able to foster strong relationships that lead to better alignment and better project outcomes.

I build relationships by listening first, understanding each stakeholder’s context, and adapting my communication to their comfort level. I use simple language, regular check ins, and early alignment on expectations. Respecting cultural differences, acknowledging their pressures, and showing consistent follow through builds trust and keeps collaboration strong across diverse groups.