Building Trust With Stakeholders Before You Need Them

There's a version of stakeholder engagement that is just a bunch of schmoozing and wasted spend. And then there's what Bradley Harris does. Bradley has spent more than 13 years operating behind the curtain in some of the most complex, regulated, and high-stakes environments: utilities, healthcare, economic development, nonprofits, and government. He has been in the boardroom when multimillion dollar decisions got made in minutes. He has handed talking points to heads of state. He has managed relationships between organizations that had no business working together, and made it work anyway. And his philosophy is simple: listen first, meet people where they are, and build the relationships you need before you ever need them. In this episode of the Leadership Cafe Podcast, Bradley unpacks what stakeholder engagement looks like in action, why it is more critical now than ever for nonprofit and healthcare organizations, and some simple tactics that small and solo teams can use to build trust, influence, and buy-in with the people who matter most to their mission. Episode Highlights: The difference between your audience and your stakeholders. Why you should never spend a single dollar on marketing or stakeholder engagement until you know your vision, your mission, and your positioning. Low-budget stakeholder engagement tactics any small or solo team can implement. Why most strategic plans gather dust and why the most impactful thing a leader can do is stop brainstorming new ones and start executing the one already sitting on the shelf. About our guest: Bradley Harris is the founder of Bradley Harris Strategic Advisory, where he helps executives and organizations navigate complex stakeholder environments, build trust, and turn strategy into action. With more than 13 years of experience across utilities, healthcare, economic development, and nonprofits, Bradley has spent his career operating behind the scenes in some of the most high-stakes decision-making environments in West Virginia and beyond. He currently serves as president of the largest medical school foundation in West Virginia and is a passionate advocate for lifting the next generation of leaders. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Bradley on LinkedIn:   / bradley-harris-a4649360   Bradley Harris Strategic Advisory: thebradleyharris.com Commonwell Marketing: https://commonwellmarketing.com/ The Leadership Cafe: https://theleadershipcafe.com/