96: How to Strengthen Stakeholder Relationships as an Ops Exec (and Become the First to Know)

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/96.

You know what it’s like when you’re juggling a dozen urgent things, and suddenly a project just… stalls? Out of the blue. Later, you find out that your counterpart in another department “thought you were on it,” but you haven’t actually talked to them in weeks. 

Now you’re both annoyed, and the work is grinding to a halt.

Let’s talk about something that can quietly make or break your reputation: the way you connect with people across the company. When everything’s changing, like new tech, new goals, new org charts, it’s so easy to get out of step.

In this episode you’ll get a simple move you can use to get ahead of these problems, plus a tip that really sets great ops leaders apart. You might be closer than you think to being the person everyone trusts to get things done—minus the drama. 

Transcript

You know what it’s like when you’re juggling a dozen urgent things, and suddenly a project just… stalls? Out of the blue. Later, you find out that your counterpart in another department “thought you were on it,” but you haven’t actually talked to them in weeks.

Now you’re both annoyed, and the work is grinding to a halt.

Let’s talk about something that can quietly make or break your reputation: the way you connect with people across the company. When everything’s changing, like new tech, new goals, new org charts, it’s so easy to get out of step.

In this episode you’ll get a simple move you can use to get ahead of these problems, plus a tip that really sets great ops leaders apart. You might be closer than you think to being the person everyone trusts to get things done—minus the drama. Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/96.

Why Stakeholder Relationships Matter in Ops

Hey Ops Execs, 

You’re the person everyone counts on to keep things moving. But when you’re buried in work, it’s easy to miss what’s shifting for your partners. And when the company’s in flux with new systems and new priorities, miscommunication can happen frequently and almost sneak up on you.

Here’s what I notice with the best ops execs: They don’t wait for things to go wrong. They check in before there’s a problem. For them, every relationship needs a regular pulse check, not just a handshake at the start.

The Simple Habit That Sets Top Ops Leaders Apart

So, here’s your move:

Pick one stakeholder this week. Someone whose world’s changed lately, or maybe someone you just haven’t talked to in a while. Reach out for a quick, no-pressure chat. Ask these three things:

• What’s working for you in how we’re teaming up?
• What’s not?
• Anything new on your plate I might not know about?

Pay attention to what’s not being said. If someone hesitates, changes the subject, or just sounds a bit off, that’s usually where the real stuff is hiding. 

After the call, don’t feel like you have to fix everything right away. Take a moment to think about what you heard. Does it match what you’re hearing from others? Are you noticing a pattern? Sometimes you’ll catch a bigger issue before it turns into a mess. 

And one more thing: If you make a change based on their feedback, let them know. Just a quick, “Hey, I made that tweak you mentioned. Did it help?” goes a long way. It shows you care and builds real trust.

Your reputation isn’t about how many fires you put out. It’s about keeping things running smoothly, even when everything’s changing. Ops execs who get noticed are the ones who spot problems early, connect the dots, and follow through.

Real Results: What Happens When You Make Stakeholder Pulse Meetings a Habit

They don’t just do this once and move on. They make these stakeholder pulse meetings a regular thing, even just doing one chat a week.

I’ve seen leaders who start with just a couple of these chats a month and suddenly, they’re the first to know about changes. No more last-minute surprises.

And look, if you’re thinking you don’t have time for this, even a 10-minute chat counts. It’s not about adding more to your plate. It’s just about making the work smoother for everyone, including you.

Seriously, these quick check-ins now can save you a lot of headaches later. Over time, this is what people remember about you: You’re the ops exec who’s always in the loop, always listening, always a step ahead. That’s the habit that can really set you apart.

Your Next Step: Try This Coaching Question

So, here’s your question for the week: What’s one conversation you’ve been avoiding that could shift your results this month?

If you want to take this even further, check out Episode 22: “6 Things Your CEO Needs to Hear to Stop Micromanaging Ops.” If you want your CEO to see you as a true partner, not just the person who gets things done, but the one who shapes how things get done, this episode is for you. You’ll hear exactly what execs at the top want to hear, and how you can get a seat at the table for the big conversations. Find it at yourfuturerealized.com/22.

You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.