It does take some life and work experience to really understand the concept of stakeholders – and their potential impact on everything you do.

Think about how, in our personal lives, we only gradually perceive how this all works. As little kids, we’re very dependent; just about everything is done for us and given to us. Then we enter adolescence, and we feel very independent and very sure that we know everything. Then, eventually, we come to a point in our lives when we realize that we are all interdependent: I rely on you for some things; you rely on me for some things.

Our interdependence in the workspace is a reality we have to embrace and manage. As you clearly identify, understand and prioritize your stakeholders, the concept of ‘interdependence’ will be your test. Are you and your stakeholders truly interdependent?