Many projects struggle, not because of lack of skill or effort, but because stakeholder dynamics are not fully understood or managed effectively. Misalignment, unclear expectations, and breakdowns in communication often create challenges that impact delivery and outcomes.
In this session, Thea Soehren provides a practical and experience-driven perspective on stakeholder management and its direct impact on project success.
Participants will begin by examining the reality of why projects fail, focusing on the human factors that often go unnoticed. The session then shifts to a critical leverage point. Self-awareness. You will explore how your own signals, communication style, and approach influence stakeholder responses and engagement.
The session also emphasizes understanding stakeholders as individuals, not just roles. By recognizing motivations, concerns, and behaviors, participants will learn how to navigate complexity more effectively.
Trust is presented as a central element in stabilizing projects and driving progress. You will learn how to build and maintain trust, even in high-pressure or ambiguous environments.
Throughout the session, Thea connects practical techniques to real-world scenarios, helping participants apply what they learn immediately in their own work.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Understand common reasons why projects fail from a stakeholder perspective
Recognize how self-awareness influences stakeholder engagement
Identify key signals and behaviors that impact communication outcomes
Apply techniques to better understand stakeholder motivations and needs
Build trust to improve alignment and project stability
Course Outline
Why Projects Fail
A practical look at common breakdowns in stakeholder engagement.
Self-Awareness and Signals
Understanding how your actions and communication affect others.
Understanding Stakeholders as People
Moving beyond roles to understand motivations and behavior.
Trust as a Stabilizer
Building trust to support alignment and delivery.
Practical Takeaway
A simple approach you can apply immediately in your work.
Audience
This session is ideal for:
Business Analysts working with diverse stakeholders
Project Managers and Product Managers
Leaders navigating complex or ambiguous environments
Professionals seeking to improve communication and influence
Workshop Overview
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Duration: 1 hour
Instructor Profile
Thea Soehren, CBAP, CSPO, ICP-APO
Agentic AI Fractional BA & Transformation Consultant
Thea Soehren is a Business Analysis and transformation leader with extensive experience helping organizations navigate complexity and drive meaningful outcomes. Her work focuses on turning ambiguity into clarity and aligning strategy, delivery, and stakeholder engagement.
She operates at the intersection of Business Analysis and strategic leadership, supporting organizations through consulting, advisory engagements, and transformation initiatives. Thea specializes in high-stakes environments where structure, clarity, and momentum are needed most.
She is a contributor to BABOK® v3, founder of the BA Force Multiplier movement, and a recognized leader within the Business Analysis community. Her approach combines strategic perspective with practical execution, helping teams and organizations move forward with confidence.