#36: Christmas Parties and Stakeholder Expectations
Have some fun but don't disappoint your colleagues either
Hey friends,
7 days until Christmas, did you already start watching Christmas movies?
I haven’t yet, so if you have any recommendations, shoot them below.
PS: We just got “Threads” in Europe, the Twitter competitor from Meta, so if you want to connect there, look for “alexandruleo”.
1/ A few updates from my side
I must admit it was not my most productive week, as I went to two Christmas parties and spent the weekend doing the first part of the accounting course for my MBA.
Accounting is not the easiest topic for someone with an engineering background and who has worked in tech all his life, and I must admit I got a bit lost on the second day of the course.
But that doesn’t scare me. I am excited because I know that my level is quite low and I can only go up from here.
It’s a challenge. And I love challenges.
I went to the first Christmas party on Thursday at the Bucharest International School of Management, and it was very nice to meet some alumni of the Master's I’m doing.
I was surprised to see there were some colleagues from the gym too. I don’t want to brag about it, but CrossFitters are smart people :P
On Friday, we had the Christmas Party at work, and we had a lot of fun. My initial plan was to stay until midnight because I knew I had to wake up for the course the next day.
I went home around 3.
What can I say? I like having fun, and it was a great atmosphere, and we had a very nice concert.
But I’m done with parties for a while. I’m too old for this.
2/ Managing Stakeholder Expectations
Last week, I went to lunch with a fellow Partner, and I asked him for some advice regarding my role.
The most important thing we talked about and something that often comes up in my role is “managing stakeholder expectations.”.
I don’t know about you, but in my several roles, I didn’t have to please one boss, but many.
Then I have my colleagues, my team, the supporting functions, and the clients. Only to go home and face a similar challenge with family and friends.
This makes me feel like a juggler sometimes, and managing stakeholder expectations is an art that can often seem more challenging than a tightrope walk.
What are some strategies to handle these pressures gracefully?
1. Understand the expectations
Stakeholders include anyone impacted by our actions: our team, managers, clients, and even the broader organization. Mismanaging these expectations can lead to stress and missed opportunities.
For instance, when a project's scope isn't clearly defined, it can lead to client dissatisfaction, or when a team isn't aligned on goals, it can result in internal friction.
We need to be proactive in setting up discussions with the stakeholders so we understand what they want from us.
Only through clear communication we can make sure there are no gaps or misunderstandings.
Set up initial meetings with them, and go through all the points you have in common so you know what to deliver and, especially, when.
2. Be clear on what you can and can’t do
Setting boundaries is equally important.
We often feel the need to overpromise and underdeliver.
It’s hard for us, as human beings, to say no. In ancient times, this would have made the people in our tribe not like us and eventually leave us behind.
It's okay to say no when a request goes beyond your capacity or contradicts your values.
This applies to both professional requests and personal commitments.
3. Negotiate and Prioritize
Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks and commitments based on urgency and importance.
You won’t be able to do everything at once.
Try to understand what has to be done right now and what can wait for next quarter.
4. Regular check-ins
Schedule regular check-ins at work to align expectations and progress.
Depending on the stakeholder, this might be every week or every quarter.
It’s the only way to make sure you both have the same perspective on the things to be done.
I’ve seen so many situations in which someone was working hard for a project that was no longer relevant to the stakeholder.
5. Delegate
One of the bigger issues we see in leaders is the lack of delegation.
I won’t go deep into the topic, as it’s very complex. I will just say that there are two main reasons people don’t delegate:
They don’t think someone else can do it better than them
They are afraid to lose control
Be mindful about this. How often do you find yourself in one of these two positions?
If you are, try to deal with these emotions and figure out some things you can take off your plate.
Managing stakeholder expectations is a nuanced skill that requires constant attention and refinement.
By employing clear communication, setting boundaries, and striking a balance, you can navigate these waters with ease.
Remember, the act of balancing these expectations is ongoing, but with the right tools and mindset, you can make it work smoothly.
3/ Recommendations: The Secret History of Christmas by Bill Bryson
I usually fall asleep by reading or listening to a book.
And this time of year, I listen to this one.
I have an Audible subscription, and the book is included. Which is quite convenient.
It’s very entertaining and explains the origins of some of the Christmas traditions we often take for granted.
Among others, you will find out:
Why is it called Boxing Day?
What’s the story behind Christmas crackers?
How did St. Nicholas, a bishop from the dawn of Christianity, turn into the plump and jolly figure of Santa Claus?
Why did the Puritans try to cancel Christmas?
Among other interesting trivia that surrounds our favorite holiday.
So, if you’re on Audible and you’re a Christmas fan, like me, give this a listen.
Thank you for reading, and let me know if you liked something in particular in this newsletter.
Until next time,
Leo
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