Stakeholder Perception Assessment
The conversations HR can't have, we can.
Perception is reality. If your stakeholders see you as unapproachable, unclear, or misaligned, that shapes how they respond, regardless of your capability.
Until you understand what stakeholders believe, you can't fix the unspoken issues slowing you down.
This isn't about what you do well. It's about what you need to do differently to get the results that you and the business need.
WHAT THIS IS
The Stakeholder Perception Assessment is structured feedback from the people who matter most to your success: direct reports, peers, board members, and key stakeholders.
It's similar to 360-degree feedback, but with a critical difference: your pay and promotion don't depend on what they say. This is where you hear the truth, not what's politically correct.
We interview stakeholders who may not be as supportive as you may need, those who appear passive-aggressive, seem misaligned with your initiatives, or hold influence but don't proactively support you. These are the conversations they won't have with you directly, but they'll have with us.
Stakeholders are candid because their feedback is anonymized and won't result in repercussions. We can have the conversations HR isn't allowed to have.
Once the feedback has been collated and analyzed by us, you receive a confidential written report that consolidates comments into actionable themes. We use that intelligence to coach you throughout the engagement.
WHY THIS IS DIFFERENT
Most 360° feedback processes exist to justify compensation decisions. This process exists to move you and the business forward.
We read between the lines and catch what people aren't saying directly. We ask the uncomfortable questions. We identify patterns in the feedback that reveal the real dynamics at play. We translate what people are saying into clear insights, not just what they're willing to write down.
And because we're conducting the interviews (when you choose that option), stakeholders feel safe being honest with us. They know we're not going to report back verbatim. They know we're identifying themes. And they know we're asking because we're here to help you succeed, not to create problems.
Why This Matters
The feedback gives you the intel you need to:
Shift the dynamics with difficult stakeholders
Align your approach to what people actually need
Turn resistance into collaboration
Communicate in ways that earn trust and respect
The Format
Option 1: Zoom Interviews (recommended)
We conduct 30-minute Zoom interviews with up to five stakeholders. This format allows us to read body language, catch micro-expressions and hesitations, pick up on energy shifts, and ask follow-up questions that uncover what people believe — not just what they'd share in a formal 360° review.
Option 2: Online Form
Feedback is collected via a confidential online form sent to up to five stakeholders. You can add up to two custom questions to tailor the feedback to your specific situation.
Additional stakeholders can be included with either format based on your needs.
WHAT YOU GET
A Written Summary Report
We synthesize all feedback into themes, not individual quotes. You'll receive a clear, actionable report that shows you:
What stakeholders see as your strengths
Where they see misalignment or friction
What they need from you that they're not getting
How perceptions are shaping your effectiveness
This report is confidential. We send it directly to you, and we don't share it with HR, your line manager, your team, or stakeholders unless you choose to.
Strategic Context For Your Coaching
We review the feedback and show you exactly what you're navigating. Throughout our work together, we reference themes from the assessment (always anonymously) to help you decode situations, anticipate reactions, and adjust your approach in real time.
THE PROCESS
Once you decide to move ahead with the Stakeholder Perception Assessment, here's how it works:
Confirm stakeholder participation
You reach out to your stakeholders to confirm they're willing to provide feedback. We'll help you draft this email so it's clear and professional.
We introduce the process
Once stakeholders confirm, you send us their names and email addresses. We send each stakeholder an introduction email with context about the process and next steps.
They book their session or complete the form
We send them a link to our calendar so they can book their Zoom session (or complete the online form if you've chosen that option).
We gather and analyze
We conduct the 30-minute Zoom sessions (or they complete the online form). We review all responses, identify themes, and write the summary report.
You receive the report
We send the confidential themes report directly to you and incorporate the information into the coaching plan.
When This Happens
The assessment typically occurs after Session 1 of Executive Strategy (values exercise and initial coaching) and before Session 2. This provides the context needed to coach you effectively for the remainder of the engagement.
In some cases, timing allows us to complete the assessment before your first session. Most clients prefer to start coaching immediately, so we run the feedback process in parallel.
READY TO GET STARTED?
If you're interested in adding the Stakeholder Perception Assessment to your engagement, let us know during our initial consultation.
We'll discuss which format makes the most sense for your situation, identify the stakeholders who should participate, and schedule the process to fit seamlessly into your coaching timeline.
Other Services
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For CEOs who need a strategic partner, not another yes-man.
Executive Strategy
Outside perspective. Inside strategy. Exact moves.
Leadership Team Excellence
Alignment at the top changes everything below it.
Ready to work together?
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