Most work depends on people you don't manage. Stakeholder management — mapping who matters, understanding what they need and influencing without authority — is what lets things actually get delivered.
Who is a stakeholder?
Anyone affected by, or who can affect, your work: your manager, other teams, customers, suppliers, senior sponsors. The first mistake is treating them all the same.
The Power/Interest grid (stakeholder analysis)
Plot each stakeholder on two axes — how much power/influence they have and how much interest they have — and manage each quadrant differently:
- High power, high interest → Manage closely. Involve them, agree decisions, keep them happy.
- High power, low interest → Keep satisfied. Brief, high-level updates; don't overload them.
- Low power, high interest → Keep informed. Regular detail; they're often your best allies.
- Low power, low interest → Monitor. Light-touch communication.
This one grid turns "keep everyone updated" into a focused, realistic plan.
Influencing without authority
You'll often need people to act when you can't tell them to. Use:
- Reciprocity — help them first; goodwill is returned.
- Shared goals — frame your ask around their objectives, not yours.
- Evidence — data and a clear business case beat opinion.
- Trusted relationships — built before you need them, not during a crisis.
Aligning responsibilities with RACI
On cross-team work, use a RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) so everyone knows their part — and pair it with a simple communication plan (who needs what information, how often, in what format). Clear roles prevent the "I thought you were doing that" failures.
Managing expectations
Under-promise and over-deliver. Surface risks early, be honest about trade-offs, and never let a stakeholder be surprised by bad news. Trust is built by managing expectations, not by saying yes to everything.
Put it to work
Draw a Power/Interest grid for your current project and choose the right engagement for each quadrant. Then rehearse influencing a senior stakeholder in AI Interview™.