Chapter 20. DEVELOPING LEADERS' NETWORKS THROUGH A STAKEHOLDER MAPPING AND ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP

Katy Strei and Sally Colella

Look behind any successful change initiative, and you'll find that its leaders actively leveraged their personal networks to involve stakeholders in shaping, approving, and adopting the change. Stakeholders are the individuals and groups who will be affected by the change, including all who influence those who must take action to implement it. Stakeholders can be specific leaders, key customers, end users, and employees who are opinion leaders in their groups. They are usually spread across an organization's departments, work groups, and external clients and partners.

Managers often jump into action on new change initiatives without considering how to identify and engage this crucial network. As a result, opposition gradually begins to emerge and may increase as the implementation date draws near. Individuals or groups of stakeholders can easily block success by outright resistance or by simply ignoring the new system, technology, process, or behaviors.