What are different steps to getting stakeholders aligned?

Following are steps to be followed in stakeholder alignment:

 Get them involved.

Alignment is not about telling people what you think and then asking them to agree. It’s about getting stakeholders to participate in the project, so they feel invested in and committed to the strategy. Work with your project sponsor to ensure all stakeholders are involved in some way. Some stakeholders need to be more involved than others, but everyone needs to be aware of your project objectives and updated on project progress.

3. Anticipate their needs.

A very wise woman once told me that objections are needs or concerns in disguise. The more you know about your stakeholders’ needs and concerns, the better you can address them. Cultivate understanding between team members and avoid surprise objections later. Keep in mind that their needs will likely change as you progress through your project, so reassess as you go.

4. Craft your messages.

Once you have a pretty good idea about what your stakeholders care about, start thinking of the messages that will resonate with them most. For each of your stakeholders, complete the sentence, “She needs content strategy because …” Center your discussions with that person around what’s most important to her.