Mastering Stakeholder Management – Part 1: Identifying and Communicating with Stakeholders

In this episode of The Product Handbook, we kick off a two-part series on stakeholder engagement — starting with how to identify the right people, understand their needs, and communicate in a way that builds alignment instead of tension.

You’ll learn:

• How to identify, categorize, and prioritize stakeholders in product development

• Strategies for effective communication with executives, engineers, customers, and more

• How to frame proposals from your stakeholder’s perspective to gain influence

• Techniques for managing expectations and avoiding misalignment early

• Why conflict is normal — and how to turn disagreements into productive collaboration using tools like the Behavioral Change Stairway Model

Whether you’re launching a new feature or aligning on roadmap strategy, this episode gives you the tools to engage stakeholders with empathy, clarity, and impact.