If you have ever worked in an organization with multiple teams and departments, you know how critical it is to work across departmental lines well. When there is synergy across departments, huge projects, events, and launches can be pulled off with such phenomenal results that it seems like it must have been the result of an exponentially larger team.
At the same time, when departments and teams are working at cross-purposes, the results can be disastrous. Teams can hamstring and even harm one another.
What happens when teams don’t work well together
For instance, an unfortunately common example might be when the HR department hires a new employee without informing the IT department.
The new employee arrives on their first day, ready to start work, but is unable to access the company’s systems or resources because their computer and email account have not been set up. The IT department is unaware of the new hire and is unable to assist, leading to confusion and frustration for the new employee. Perhaps the user even gets flagged for fraud and temporarily locked out of the system as they try and fail to log in.
As a result, the new hire is unable to start work on their first day and has to wait until the IT department is able to set up their computer and email account the following day. This leads to delays and disruptions, as well as frustration and disappointment for the new employee. First impressions are everything, and this employee’s first impression of your company’s ability to work across departments is forever tainted. The HR department is embarrassed and frustrated that their efforts have been wasted, while the IT department is confused and annoyed by the situation.
One real world example of departments in a company working well together to achieve a goal is when a technology company launches a new product called “SmartWatch Pro.”
The product development team works closely with focus groups and customer feedback to design the SmartWatch Pro, incorporating features and functionality that customers want. The marketing team develops a comprehensive marketing plan that includes advertising, social media, and public relations efforts to generate buzz and interest in the product. And the sales team focuses on building relationships with key accounts and providing exceptional customer service to drive sales and customer loyalty.
When sales are successful, the company achieves its goals, and each team walks away with a major victory. When these teams aren’t working well together or, even worse, are working at cross-purposes with one another, they’ll all have far less noteworthy results and the company as a whole suffers.
So, what can you do to better work well across departmental lines to ensure you don’t get yourself in a frustrating and potentially disastrous situation? This blog will explore five practical tips to work better between departments in your company or organization.
Key 1: Define and document expectations for each team member and department
In order to work better across departments, it is important to first define and document expectations for each team member and department. By doing so, everyone will be on the same page and working towards the same goal. Additionally, it will be easier to hold people accountable if there are clear expectations in place.
There are a few key things that you can do in order to ensure that your team is working well together across departments. First, you need to make sure that you have a clear understanding of the goals of each department and how they fit into the bigger picture. Once you have this understanding, you can start to develop strategies for how different departments can work together to achieve these goals.
It is also important to establish clear communication channels between different departments. This way, everyone knows who to go to with questions or concerns and information can be easily shared between teams. Additionally, regular meetings between representatives from different departments can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and identify any potential areas of conflict early on.
By taking these steps, you can create an environment where different departments are able to work together more effectively towards common goals.
Key 2: Develop a system for communication and collaboration that works for everyone involved
It is also important to communicate regularly and openly with each other. This way, everyone is aware of what is going on within the company and can offer assistance or advice when needed. Furthermore, open communication fosters a more positive work environment overall.
In a corporation, cross-departmental communication is important for sharing information and ideas between departments, coordinating activities, and solving problems. Cross-departmental communication can take many forms, including meetings, email, instant messaging, and video conferencing.
- Social networking platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter can help employees stay connected with each other and foster communication across departments.
- Collaboration tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides allow employees to work on projects together in real-time no matter where they are located.
- Communication platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams provide a central place for employees to chat with each other, share files, and stay up-to-date on company news.
- Video conferencing tools like Zoom and GoToMeeting make it easy to connect with colleagues face-to-face no matter where they are located.
In addition to these helpful pieces of software, there are a few general things that managers can do to develop a system of communication between departments:
- Encourage open communication: Make it known to employees that you encourage and value open communication between departments. This will help create an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up and sharing information.
- Set up regular meetings: Hold regular meetings between representatives from each department to ensure that everyone is on the same page and aware of what is going on in other departments. This is also a good time to address any issues or concerns that may have arisen.
- Encourage feedback: Encourage employees to provide feedback on the current system of communication and how it can be improved. This will help you identify any areas that need improvement and make necessary changes.
Key 3: Encourage transparency and openness to new ideas
Encouraging transparency and openness to new ideas between teams within a company can be done in a number of ways. One way is to create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas with others. This can be done by encouraging open communication and collaboration between team members. Additionally, managers can create opportunities for employees to share their ideas, such as through brainstorming sessions or by asking for input on projects. Finally, it is important to recognize and reward employees who contribute new ideas, as this will encourage others to do the same.
Encouraging openness to new ideas on your team and across departments isn’t easy. However, it can result in incredible benefits for your team and the organization as a whole. For example, I recently implemented a weekly “Brainstorming Hour” for our team, where we all gather together to discuss ideas and provide constructive feedback. We do this in an open and transparent environment, where everyone feels comfortable voicing their ideas and opinions. This has allowed us to share creative solutions to problems, as well as gain new perspectives on existing processes. The result has been improved collaboration, increased productivity, and a more positive work culture.
Key 4: Respect each other’s time and schedules
Respecting each other’s time and schedules is important when working across departments in a corporation for two main reasons. First, it promotes efficiency and productivity within the organization. When employees respect each other’s time, they are more likely to coordinate their activities and plan their tasks in a way that allows them to work together effectively and avoid any unnecessary delays or disruptions.
For example, if you know that you’ll only have an hour to complete a key part of a project with your design department, you’re going to stay on task and make sure you get it done in that single hour. On the other hand, have probably experienced what happens when people feel like they can constantly drop in. Projects will be spread out almost to infinity as tons of tweaks are made and discussion goes on endlessly.
In addition, respecting each other’s time and schedules is essential for maintaining an overall positive work culture and preventing conflicts or misunderstandings. When employees respect each other’s time and schedules, they are less likely to overburden their colleagues with unrealistic demands or expectations, which can lead to resentment and conflict. By showing respect and consideration for each other’s time and schedules, employees can create a more positive and harmonious work environment.
Key 5: Be willing to compromise when necessary
When employees are willing to compromise, they are more open to finding solutions that work for everyone, rather than insisting on their own way of doing things. This flexibility can be particularly important when dealing with complex or challenging situations, where it may be necessary to find creative solutions that involve some level of compromise.
For example, let’s say that the marketing and sales departments are working on a joint project to launch a roll out a new version of their flagship product. The marketing team has developed a comprehensive marketing plan that includes a range of online and offline activities, while the sales team has put together a detailed sales strategy that focuses on targeting key accounts and building long-term relationships with customers.
Initially, both teams are focused on pushing their own plans and ideas, which leads to tension and conflict. However, by being willing to compromise and listen to each other’s perspectives, they are able to find a solution that incorporates elements from both plans, creating a more comprehensive and effective approach to launching the product.
In this example, being willing to compromise allows for more effective collaboration and coordination between the marketing and sales teams, which helps to ensure that their efforts are aligned and focused on achieving the same goals. It also allows for the development of a more comprehensive and effective plan, which is likely to be more successful in achieving the desired results.
Conclusion
Effective communication between departments is essential for achieving organizational goals and is a critical skill for any successful business. These five strategies can help improve how employees communicate with each other, create an environment of collaboration and mutual respect, and ultimately lead to better organizational outcomes.
By clearly defining roles and expectations, promoting open communication and feedback, creating a culture that encourages feedback, respecting each other’s time and schedules, and being willing to compromise when necessary, employees can take their cross-departmental coordination skills to the next level and gain a competitive edge.
If you or your managers are struggling to work well with other departments, a great place to start is with the trained professional leadership coaches of Leadership Coaching Network.
Leadership Coaching Network understands the critical importance of effective communication between departments and is committed to helping individuals and organizations cultivate the skills that are necessary for true collaboration. Through our leadership coaching services, we can provide the personalized guidance and support needed to drive organizational success and help your employees reach their highest potential. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you create a more collaborative and successful organization.