Laura West: Coaching for Leaders Fellow

Laura West is a seasoned leader and researcher with many years experience executing and training others in data analysis and strategy. She’s led large teams across several organizations, holds a Ph.D. in linguistics, and is an alum of the Coaching for Leaders Academy. She was selected as one of our new Coaching for Leaders fellows and has taken on a leadership role in supporting our current Academy members.

What do you do when you get a request from a stakeholder, but don’t have the resources to fulfill it? That’s a reality almost every leader faces. In this conversation, Laura and I discuss both the mindset and tactics that will help you respond well.

Key Points

• Rather than an immediate “no,” spend an hour working through some steps to creatively problem solve around the request.


• Show your work. When you respond, share who you’ve talked with and what’s already been considered to respond to the request.


• Present options by summarizing 2-4 paths forward and your recommendations.


• Be the data person. Highlight trends over time that help influence different business decisions and maintain your credibility.


• Prioritize. But tell, don’t ask. Take the lead on identifying what’s important on behalf of the stakeholder and begin the work.

Resources Mentioned

• Responding to Stakeholder Requests With Limited Resources by Laura West (free membership required)

Related Episodes

• The Way to Turn Followers Into Leaders, with David Marquet (episode 241)


• How to Start Managing Up, with Tom Henschel (episode 433)


• The Way to Influence Executives, with Nancy Duarte (episode 450)

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