1.Understand the root cause: Identify the underlying issues and listen actively to both sides. 2.Find common ground: Look for shared goals and explore win-win solutions. 3.Mediate the conflict: Facilitate open communication and remain impartial. 4.Escalate if necessary: Involve a higher authority or seek mediation. 5.Build strong relationships: Foster trust and maintain open communication.

When senior stakeholders clash over priorities, effective navigation requires diplomacy and focus on shared goals. Begin by actively listening to both sides to understand their perspectives and underlying concerns. Facilitate a discussion centered on the organization’s broader objectives, helping to align their priorities with these goals. Use data and evidence to highlight the impact of each priority, providing a neutral basis for decision-making. If needed, propose a phased approach to address both agendas incrementally. Maintain transparency, respect their positions, and act as a mediator, emphasizing collaboration over competition to drive alignment and preserve relationships.

Understand their perspectives: Meet with both stakeholders individually to understand their priorities, concerns, and underlying motivations. Ask probing questions to uncover the business rationale behind their positions. Find common ground: Identify shared goals or organizational objectives that both stakeholders align with. Use these shared interests as a foundation for collaboration. Facilitate a constructive discussion: Arrange a meeting with both stakeholders to mediate their differences, focusing on organizational objectives. Reframe the discussion around the company’s strategic goals and priorities. Encourage stakeholders to consider which priority aligns better with the bigger picture. Propose a balanced solution.

Focus on aligning their priorities with overarching project goals. Facilitate a structured discussion where both stakeholders can present their perspectives, ensuring you remain neutral. Use data-driven insights to highlight how each priority impacts the project’s objectives. Then, propose a compromise or phased approach that incorporates key aspects of both agendas. Finally, seek alignment by emphasizing shared outcomes, reframing the conversation around mutual benefits to maintain collaboration.