Includes bibliographical references (page 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