Skill Builder: Archived Page

May 26, 2010

Who's Coming to the Dance? The Importance of Stakeholders

Whenever a group is organized to tackle a problem, explore an issue, or make a decision, a variety of people will be affected by the actions of that group. Those who are most affected are often called stakeholders. When a group is first being organized, it is important to consider which stakeholders should be included in the group so work isn't thwarted because of limited or distorted information due to missing stakeholders.

In his book, How To Make Collaboration Work¹, David Straus identifies four types of stakeholders:

Those with the formal power to make a decision
Those with the power to block a decision
Those affected by a decision
Those with relevant information or expertise

Straus reminds us that the POWER of the group comes from inclusion not exclusion. So, the more representatives from the four types of stakeholders participating in the group, the more power that group has to influence and make decisions that make a difference and are sustainable.

As you consider the importance of collaboration, what might be some strategies you use, and share with others, to support inclusion in your learning community?

¹Straus, David. How To Make Collaboration Work: Powerful ways to Build Consensus, Solve Problems and Make Decisions. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler, 2002.

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