You know who you need to reach your goal. But most people make the mistake to neglect their stakeholders in an early stage.
To involve means to invite your stakeholders around the table. To truly listen to them. To talk openly about your goal. To exchange views with an open mind.
What would you do first to involve your stakeholders?
Involving starts with asking questions. Listening is crucial.
Involving does not mean talking to, but means talking with.
Involving does not mean presenting your views, but means exchanging views.
Pushing your messages to a passive audience: that will not involve them! It will not bridge gaps.
One-way communication is a dead end street for sustainability change. The people you want to reach, will not listen to you. Instead, they will think about their own goals and plans.
OUR CASE OF SIMONA: Talking to instead of involving stakeholders
Simona knew from the beginning which stakeholders should change behavior: park visitors, the local community, the police, the municipality, the hunters and mountaineers. For years, she communicated to them, not with them.
It was one-way communication about all the problems caused by all the stakeholders. She did not listen to them, but kept sending messages. All in vain. The stakeholders did not listen because they did not feel personally addressed. A message about all problems caused by all people, will not be heard by anyone.
To reach your goal, you need a joint effort with stakeholders. Only rarely you can accomplish your goals alone.
In most cases, your stakeholders know much better how to solve your issue than you can imagine yourself, from behind your desk.
Do you involve stakeholders? Did you: