Includes bibliographical references (pages 205) and index.

Understanding the facts of life for executives --
Preparing the leadership --
Questions every project manager really needs answered --
Establishing the relationship and managing up the organization --
Working with the executive sponsor to understand the project --
Reviewing the stakeholder analysis with your sponsor --
Listening styles and how using them effectively helps you to engage an executive --
Your attitude and its role in engaging an executive --
Preparing sponsors for their role --
Clearly establishing the communication channels to stakeholders --
Creating internal and external communications with the sponsor --
Using deputies of executives effectively --
Executing risk mitigation strategies and executive sponsor support --
Addressing scope with the sponsor --
Providing options and recommendations for key decisions --
Communicating problems and issues with the sponsor --
Communicating with operations using the sponsor --
Using the sponsor to gain operations support --
Getting help with cross-functional issues --
Navigating the political waters --
Engaging senior managers when you have a multinational, cross-cultural project --
Handling competition with other initiatives.

"Senior managers speak the language of strategy. Project managers use the language of tasks and activities. While they rely on each other to achieve their goals, this core incompatibility can lead to communication breakdowns and project setbacks. Succeeding with Senior Management explains how to bridge the gap and engage the upper ranks. By establishing relationships early on, understanding executives, and keeping them involved, project managers win the support they need - especially critical when problems arise."--Provided by publisher.