Common Mistake: Letting Sponsor & Project Team Distraction Slide
Common Challenge: Virtual (and In-Person) Meetings Where No One’s Really Present
Quick Summary Your sponsor and project team show up to meetings—but their minds don’t. They’re multitasking, checking emails, or on Slack. When change conversations compete with distractions, you lose focus, momentum, and trust. This article outlines how to re-engage key players and reclaim the room.
The Challenge
Distraction signals disengagement. It might be unintentional, but it’s costly. When leaders and teams treat change planning as background noise, alignment fades and critical decisions slip through the cracks. You risk “phantom buy-in”—where people nod but don’t act.
Why It Matters
Presence = influence. Sponsors and team members who are mentally absent can’t model commitment, make informed decisions, or surface risks. If they’re distracted in meetings, you can bet they’re not championing the change outside of them either.
The LaMarsh Perspective
In the Managed Change™ Model, active engagement is essential. Stakeholders need to see that participation is not optional—it’s foundational. That starts with intentional meeting design, clear expectations, and courage to reset norms.
How-To Solution
- Name the Pattern
Politely but directly surface the issue: “I’ve noticed folks are often multitasking. Can we reset how we use this time?” - Redesign the Meeting
Shorter? More focused? Different format? Make meetings worth attending—with clear decisions, prep, and follow-up. - Recontract Roles
Remind sponsors and leaders of their visibility impact. Ask for active presence, not just attendance. - Use Visual Engagement
Use digital tools (like shared docs, polls, boards) to make participation interactive and accountable. - Follow Up Offline
If distraction persists, address it privately. Clarify the stakes of disengagement—and the support needed to refocus.
Pro Tip
Your role isn’t just to “run the meeting.” It’s to create space where decisions get made and change moves forward. Don’t settle for half-attention.
Wrap-Up & CTA
Distraction is a sign—of burnout, misalignment, or low priority. Tackling it head-on builds credibility and resets the tone for progress.
👉 Need help contracting with distracted sponsors or project teams? Contact us about our Coaching Services or Join our next Managed Change Workshop.
