Bring the stakeholder into the room

When working as an executive coach we often encourage our clients to think about their key stakeholders and what they are doing to add value. For example, if preparing a presentation, we will ask why it matters, who else is interested and who is being judged by the reception to the presentation? This process of reflection is important as it reminds our clients that they don’t work alone and that the work they do is part of a wider system and someone will benefit and someone else inevitably has a vested interest in it going well.

So for your next team meeting, consider bringing an empty chair into the room and place it somewhere visible for all to see. If your meeting is on line, consider loading a blank team space to represent the empty chair. Then label it. Think about who really matters to you. A common list might be:

• Your customer or client

• Investors

• Members of the executive

• Key suppliers

• Key partners

• Distributors

• Key colleagues from inside the business

• Your family members

Label the empty chair with whoever seems important to you and imagine they are listening to your discussions and they are present in the meeting. Pause your meeting to consider how they would view your meeting aims, your plans, what you are discussing, how you are prioritising your time and resources.

Encourage your team do see things from their perspective. If you are in the same physical location consider asking different team members to take the seat and to comment from a stakeholder perspective.