Stakeholder clarity beats stakeholder happiness

“Make them happy” is a trap. Happiness is subjective. Clarity is measurable.

A simple checklist that prevents most escalations:

1. What is the outcome?
2. Who owns the decision?
3. What changes if we don’t ship on time?
4. What are the top 3 risks and mitigations?
5. When is the next checkpoint?

If you can answer these every week, you’re already ahead of most programs.