The Difficult Stakeholder Conversation Script
Template
Prepare for a hard trade-off conversation so it lands as a decision, not a conflict.
Context
- What does this stakeholder actually care about here?
- What have they already been told, and by whom?
- What's the real relationship risk if this goes badly?
The ask
- What are they asking for, in their own words?
- What's the version of this you can genuinely say yes to?
- What's non-negotiable, and why?
The trade-off
- What has to give if this is prioritised?
- Can you name that trade-off in one sentence?
- What evidence backs up why this is the right call?
The path forward
- What's the alternative you're offering instead?
- What would change your answer later?
- What's the one next step you're both agreeing to right now?
Start a conversation
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