The art of Stakeholder Management: Using EQ to build strong Executive Relationships
As businesses grow, the number and complexity of relationships also increase, from shareholders and personnel to partners. Each person has their own voice, vision, and interests. Lack of alignment can create conflicts and slow down development. This is when the art of Stakeholder Management becomes the key to align vision and lead businesses through challenges.
This article won’t overload you with theory. Instead, CoachMatcher explores how to master this art using Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
✍️ CoachMatcher | 📅 10.10.2025 | 🕗 5 min
Stakeholder Management in Switzerland: From "Management" to "The Art of Understanding and Connecting"
For many years, the term "stakeholder management" often evoked images of control, imposing one's will on others to achieve personal goals. According to traditional definition, Stakeholder management is the process of identifying, analyzing, planning, and interacting with individuals, groups, or organizations that may be affected by or may affect the outcomes of a project, business activity, or organization, aimed at building and maintaining good relationships, winning support, and minimizing conflicts, thereby contributing to overall success.
However, for a modern leader, especially in the context of Swiss business culture, this must be a subtle art of connection and understanding.
Instead of "management”, you can also see it as "orchestration", where each stakeholder is a musician with their own role and nuances. The leader's task is not to make everyone play the same tune, but to create harmony from those different sounds.
How to identify "Players" on the Emotional and Strategic Stakeholder Management Board
To master this art, the first thing is to clearly understand each "player" on the board. Each stakeholder is not just a role but an individual with distinct motivations and emotions. The Power-Interest Grid will help you accurately identify appropriate approaches.
High Power, High Interest: "Strategic Partners"
These are the "decision makers" - from co-founders, board management, to major investors. They have a significant influence and closely monitor every move.
EQ Strategy: Invest time building trust relationships, regularly consult opinions, and create consensus through deep discussions.
High Power, Low Interest: "Those Who Need to Be Inspired"
This group has the ability to change the game, but doesn't care about daily details. Could be regulatory agencies, major partners, or passive investors.
EQ Strategy: Keep them updated with concise, impactful messages. Focus on results and the big vision rather than technical details.
Low Power, High Interest: "Potential Ambassadors"
These are the "passionate hearts" - key employees, loyal customers, and user communities. They don't have final decision-making power but have a strong influence.
EQ Strategy: Active listening, understanding concerns, and turning their interest into a source of strength. They can become passionate "brand ambassadors" if valued.
Low Power, Low Interest: "Those Who Need Monitoring"
This group doesn't pose major risks but still needs transparency to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings. Periodic, brief information is sufficient.
The key question is: Have you identified the position of each important stakeholder on this matrix? And more importantly, do you understand what truly drives them?
The Superior Step: When leaders need an Executive Coach
Understanding these 4 roles is one thing, and applying them skillfully in tense situations with stakeholders is completely different. This is exactly why top CEOs never stop investing in themselves and seeking professional support from executive coaches, especially in the Swiss business culture.
1. The Difference Between "Knowing" and "Being Able to Do"
You can read hundreds of books about leadership, but when facing an angry co-founder or a tense board meeting, natural reactions are still old patterns. An executive coach will help you:
- Recognize blind spots in interaction styles
- Practice real scenarios in a safe environment
- Build muscle memory for high-EQ responses
2. Accelerated Learning from Real Combat Experience
Instead of spending months "learning the hard way," an experienced executive coach will help you shorten the learning curve. They have witnessed hundreds of similar cases and know exactly what pitfalls to avoid.
3. Safe Space for Vulnerability
Being a leader means always appearing strong in front of everyone. But growth only comes when you're honest about weaknesses. An executive coach is the only person you can truly "let your guard down" with to work on authentic improvement.
Do you need help on this step? On CoachMatcher, executives can connect with verified top coaches — starting with a free 15-minute chemistry call to ensure the right fit.
The foundation of the Art: 4 components of Emotional Intelligence in Stakeholder Management
How do you master this art? The four core components of Emotional Intelligence will be your compass.
1. Self-Awareness: Know Who You Are Before Influencing Others
Before understanding others, you must understand yourself. Recognizing your emotions and blind spots is the first step to mastering every situation, especially in difficult conversations.
Real scenario: You're in a board meeting, feeling challenged when an investor asks a tough question. Is your first reaction defence or attack?
A leader with high EQ will immediately recognize this emotion and ask themselves: "Why do I feel threatened? What's really happening here?" Instead of instinctive reactions, they pause to understand their own motivations clearly.
2. Self-Management: Master Reactions Instead of Being Mastered by Reactions
Once you've recognized, you need to learn to control emotions. This skill helps you respond instead of react instinctively, maintaining calm and professionalism even in the most tense situations.
Real scenario: Co-founder disagrees intensely about the new strategy in front of the entire team. The atmosphere is tense, and everyone is waiting for your reaction.
Instead of "losing it," a high-EQ leader will say: "I understand your perspective. Let's schedule a private discussion so we can exchange ideas more thoroughly." They control emotions to maintain a professional environment.
3. Social Awareness/Empathy: Reading the Silent Language
This is the ability to "put yourself in others' shoes" to understand their motivations and emotions. A leader with empathy in leadership will know how to actively listen, hearing not just what is said but also what lies behind it.
Real scenario: In a meeting with a key client, they say "Sounds good," but body language shows hesitation. Most people would accept the words, but a leader with EQ will probe: "I sense some concern. Is there anything we need to discuss further?"
This is empathy in action - the ability to recognize what isn't being said.
4. Relationship Management: Turn Conflict into Collaboration
This is the peak of EQ. When you understand yourself and others, you can influence stakeholders positively, resolve conflicts effectively, and together create a shared vision.
Real scenario: Two department heads argue about resource allocation. Instead of "passing judgment," a high-EQ leader will:
- Find common ground: "Both want the project to succeed"
- Reframe the problem: "How can we optimize resources so both objectives are achieved?"
- Create mutually beneficial solutions
In summary, EQ is not a "nice to have" skill but a crucial competitive advantage. When you master these 4 components, stakeholder management becomes an art of creating win-win instead of zero-sum games.
CoachMatcher - Your trusted platform to find the Executive Coach that fits your needs
If you feel stuck in stakeholder management or want to find a partner to master the art of leadership, don't hesitate to seek professional help. At CoachMatcher, we connect you with top executive coaches in Switzerland and the DACH region.
We understand that finding effective and suitable executive coaching is extremely important for sustainable leadership development. That's why CoachMatcher is the trusted platform that helps you:
- Connect with experts who have deep experience in Swiss business culture and scaling organizations to understand stakeholder dynamics in the DACH market clearly
- Customize development plans suitable for specific leadership challenges so you can master the art of stakeholder management
- Save up to 70% time and effort by browsing all verified coachers in one place - filter by your needs, book a free 15-min call, and confirm online in just a few clicks.
- Transparent information and costs right on the website to help you make appropriate investment decisions for your leadership development journey
Stakeholder management mastery is a journey that requires guidance from experts who have gone before. Let CoachMatcher help you find the right strategic partner for your next breakthrough.
Ready to strengthen your stakeholder relationships? Book a free consultation and see how CoachMatcher support your leadership journey.