1. Preparation
"You do not want to go into a meeting with a senior stakeholder without being properly informed about the business."
Preparation is the foundation of a successful relationship with senior stakeholders.
Start by thoroughly researching the area you’re recruiting for, including the tools, projects, and team dynamics.
To gather further insights you could schedule pre-meeting conversations with team members who report to the stakeholder.
While you don’t need to match the stakeholder’s depth of knowledge, demonstrating a solid understanding of their business and needs will help establish your credibility.
2. Accountability = Trust
"You cannot ask for accountability if you don’t champion it yourself."
Building trust begins with accountability.
Giovanni recommends over-preparing for meetings by delivering more than what’s expected. An example would be sourcing & presenting initial profiles to calibrate on during a kickoff meeting.
After the meeting, sending a clear and structured recap with an action plan and forecasted timelines shows your commitment.
Additionally, proactively providing updates on progress, even if the stakeholder hasn’t specifically requested them, helps demonstrate reliability and dedication.
3. Working on Limited Time
"Show them structure and willingness to understand their struggles. This is how you make an impact in limited time."
When working with busy senior leaders focus on being concise and clear.
Keep emails and updates short to match their limited time.
Build relationships with their assistants or team members to coordinate schedules effectively and ensure information reaches them.
Proactively share updates on key metrics such as pass-through rates to keep stakeholders informed without requiring extra effort on their part.