Gaining Buy In - Strategies for IT Leadership to influence key Stakeholders in projects.

Summary

In this insightful webinar, Cassandra Hatton, a seasoned leader in the non-profit sector, shares her expertise on gaining buy-in for IT leadership and influencing key stakeholders in organizational change. She emphasizes that digital transformation is as much about people and culture as it is about technology. Cassandra outlines five key strategies: starting with people, not technology; building and maintaining trust; becoming brilliant storytellers to articulate the problem and benefits; fostering inclusion and collaboration; and celebrating wins to build credibility and morale. Her approach is grounded in the understanding that every stakeholder's perspective is valid and essential to the success of any major project. She encourages the audience to engage with these principles to ensure their digital transformation initiatives are not only successful but also sustainable and beneficial for all involved.

Takeaways

• 🎤 **Start with People, Not Technology**: Focus on the stakeholders and their needs rather than the technology itself as the core of any digital transformation project.
• 🔄 **Understand Stakeholder Impact**: Identify who will be affected by the project and what their stake is, to tailor engagement approaches that resonate with each group.
• 📈 **Earn and Keep Trust**: Building trust is a continuous process that should start well before a project begins. It's crucial for gaining buy-in and ensuring a smooth implementation.
• 📖 **Become a Storyteller**: Effectively communicate the problem you're solving and the benefits of the solution to different stakeholders in a compelling narrative.
• 🤝 **Foster Inclusion and Collaboration**: Seek diverse perspectives by including a range of voices in the decision-making process, which can lead to more innovative and comprehensive solutions.
• 🎉 **Celebrate Wins**: Recognize and celebrate milestones and achievements to build morale, motivate the team, and establish credibility within the organization.
• 📊 **Use Data and Metrics**: When building a business case, use tangible data to forecast potential outcomes and demonstrate the return on investment of the proposed solution.
• 🔍 **Walk Around the Dice**: Gain multiple perspectives on the project by considering how it appears from different viewpoints within the organization.
• 🌟 **Highlight the Intangible Benefits**: Go beyond the financial and operational benefits to illustrate the positive impact on staff, volunteers, and organizational culture.
• 👥 **Seek Unusual Voices**: Invite input from those not typically included in discussions to bring fresh insights and experiences to the table.
• 📚 **Continuous Learning**: Engage in continuous professional development, such as storytelling courses, to enhance the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Connecting Up and TechSoup New Zealand in terms of technology?

Connecting Up and TechSoup New Zealand are part of the Info Exchange group, a for-profit social enterprise that focuses on addressing significant social challenges through the smart and creative use of technology.

What does Cassandra Hatton's leadership philosophy revolve around?

Cassandra Hatton's leadership philosophy is centered on the belief that people are the heart of any organization's success, with her qualifications in advanced HR and psychology forming the cornerstone of this approach.

What is the significance of the change curve in the context of a technology project?

The change curve is a framework that helps guide the right conversations and considerations at each stage of a technology project. It assists in understanding where stakeholders are in relation to the change and where they need to be for the project to be successful.

Why is trust so crucial in the process of implementing technology projects?

Trust is essential because it allows for higher speeds in project implementation. High trust between team members and stakeholders leads to smoother and faster progress, as it forms the foundation for effective collaboration and reduces resistance to change.

How can storytelling be beneficial in gaining buy-in for a technology project?

Storytelling helps to create a compelling case for the project by articulating the problem it aims to solve, the benefits it will bring, and how these benefits resonate with different stakeholders. It makes the project more relatable and persuasive.

What is the importance of fostering inclusion and collaboration during a digital transformation?

Fostering inclusion and collaboration ensures that multiple perspectives are considered, leading to a more holistic understanding of the project's impact. It helps to build trust, prevent groupthink, and can uncover innovative solutions by involving diverse voices.

Why is it important to celebrate wins during a technology project?

Celebrating wins is crucial for building morale, motivating the team, and acknowledging the contributions of all stakeholders. It also helps to build credibility within the organization, which can lead to higher trust and the ability to move faster in subsequent projects.

What is the role of a leader in implementing a successful digital transformation?

A leader plays multiple roles in implementing a successful digital transformation, including being an excellent planner, relationship builder, storyteller, facilitator, and culture builder. They guide the process by focusing on people, building trust, creating compelling narratives, fostering collaboration, and celebrating achievements.

How can understanding the stakeholders' perspectives, or 'walking around the dice,' contribute to a technology project?

Understanding the stakeholders' perspectives allows for a more comprehensive view of the project's impact and potential solutions. It ensures that all valid viewpoints are considered, leading to better decision-making and a more effective implementation.

What is the role of unusual voices in fostering innovation during a technology project?

Unusual voices, or those not typically included in decision-making processes, can provide unique insights and experiences that may lead to innovative solutions. Seeking out and including these perspectives can prevent stagnation and enhance the project's outcomes.

What is the recommended approach for dealing with stakeholders who only see the negatives of a technology project?

The recommended approach is to invest time in relationship building, understanding their concerns, and tailoring communications to address their specific fears or concerns. It's about empathizing with their perspective and working to bring them on board through persistent and patient engagement.