On March 26, 2025, Holland Innovative will host the Project Management Inspiration Event with the theme: "How to Win Stakeholders and Influence Projects". At Holland Innovative, we specialize in equipping professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate complex project environments. Through our training programs, we empower project managers to gain influence and successfully lead their projects. Two of our keynote speakers, John Hermarij and Wim Schouten, share their expertise on stakeholder influence, leadership, and effective project execution.
Project Management and Politics: Two Sides of the Same Coin
“Project management is about organizing what has not yet been organized. Politics is about organizing what has not yet been organized,” says John Hermarij. “That means project managers inevitably deal with politics, whether they like it or not.” Yet, many project managers view politics negatively, whereas in reality, it is about gaining influence, collaborating, and managing interests.
One of the early lessons John learned in his career came when he told his manager, "I need more authority because people aren’t doing what I want." His manager’s response was an eye-opener: "Why don’t your colleagues have that problem?" That moment made John reflect: why do some people effortlessly get things done? This led him to explore the world of power, influence, and stakeholder management.
While stakeholder influence is essential for project success, it is equally important to navigate resistance within teams. Leadership plays a crucial role in ensuring that project changes are not just accepted but actively embraced. This is where Wim Schouten’s expertise in project leadership and change management comes in.
Power, Leadership, and Overcoming Resistance
According to Wim Schouten, senior project manager at Holland Innovative, effective leadership is key in overcoming organizational resistance. “Introducing a new project, methodology, or way of working almost always leads to pushback. Many elements within an organization naturally resist change. The key to overcoming this is strong leadership combined with project management expertise,” Wim explains.
“Leadership and project management may seem like separate disciplines, but they are becoming increasingly intertwined,” he continues. “A project manager must manage the current reality, while a leader provides vision and direction. Successful project managers shift between these roles fluidly, adapting their leadership style to fit the team and circumstances.”
The trainers and interim managers at Holland Innovative bridge this gap between leadership and project execution. Wim emphasizes the importance of an external perspective when managing change: “As an external project or interim manager, I bring an unbiased viewpoint. I can identify relational tensions that may cause resistance and work to resolve them. Additionally, I am explicitly focused on results rather than hierarchical dynamics, which makes decision-making more straightforward.”
Wim recalls a case where resistance to a new project framework was strong. “The team resisted adopting a new approach because it disrupted their traditional roles. Instead of forcing change, I worked with them to identify small, low-risk adjustments that gradually built confidence. Over time, these incremental changes led to full adoption without major conflict.”
Framing and Strategic Communication
An essential aspect of exerting influence is framing – positioning your message within the context of your stakeholder’s perspective. “You can’t convince people with your arguments; you can only convince them with their own arguments,” says John. This means that a project manager must not only have technical knowledge but also understand the interests and motivations of stakeholders.
“Take, for example, a sponsor who is focused on time-to-market,” John explains. “As a project manager, you could argue that more time is needed to ensure quality. But instead of simply saying ‘this takes more time,’ you can frame the message as: ‘I understand that speed is important, but if we launch too quickly and the quality is inadequate, we risk reputational damage and higher recovery costs.’ This way, you align with the stakeholder’s interests and increase the likelihood that your message will be accepted.”
John also emphasizes that engaging in politics does not mean manipulation. It’s about listening, connecting, and creating win-win situations. “Power is not something you have alone; it is something given to you by others. That means you need to build relationships and reciprocity. If you help someone, there’s a good chance you’ll receive support in return later.”
Curious about how you can apply these strategies in your own projects? At Holland Innovative, we train professionals to master these skills through hands-on training and workshops. Learn more about our programs.
Navigating Resistance and Organizational Behavior
Wim highlights that resistance to change is not just about technical project execution but also deeply rooted in organizational culture and behavior. “Many companies operate in silos, where longstanding habits and ingrained roles make change difficult. If a new management team introduces a different way of working, employees often resist because it disrupts established norms.”
He also points out that some organizations operate under a culture of fear and accountability, which hinders innovation. “If an organization is ruled by fear, employees will avoid taking risks. That’s why it’s essential for project managers and leaders to create an environment of trust and psychological safety where people feel encouraged to contribute new ideas.”
Winning over external stakeholders is only half the challenge. Internally, project managers must also ensure their teams embrace change. While John Hermarij emphasizes strategic communication with stakeholders, Wim Schouten highlights the importance of leading teams through transitions and overcoming resistance. True project success happens when both external influence and internal alignment work together.
Practice Makes Perfect
Another crucial element of engaging in politics as a project manager is practice. “People think politicians do everything off the cuff, but the reality is that successful politicians constantly practice,” says John. “For example, our former prime minister spent about a day and a half each week practicing debates. Why shouldn’t project managers do the same?”
John advises project managers to consciously train their communication skills. “Practice your key messages out loud, practice how you respond to resistance, and practice delivering your message convincingly. The more often you do it, the more confident you become – and that confidence shows.”
He also highlights the importance of strategically using different levels of communication. “What you say in a steering committee is not the same as what you say in your project team. Sometimes it’s important to instill confidence in higher management without revealing all the details that may not yet be fully worked out.”
Learn How to Expand Your Influence
During the Project Management Inspiration Event, John Hermarij and Wim Schouten will share their expertise on winning stakeholders, overcoming resistance, and leading successful projects. Want to learn how to navigate the political landscape of organizations and create lasting change? Register now for the event on March 26, 2025!
Take the Next Step in Your Development
If this topic resonates with you and you want to deepen your expertise, consider taking your project leadership skills to the next level. Holland Innovative offers the PM Masterclass and the Advanced Leadership Program, designed for professionals who want to enhance their strategic influence, stakeholder management, and leadership capabilities.
Explore these programs and continue your journey toward becoming a high-impact project leader.
Project Management Masterclass
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