As a manager, leading across a siloed organization is just as important as leading the individuals on your team. But what does cross-functional leadership really entail? It comes down to seeing the big picture and investing in the right relationships. To become a better cross-functional leader, try these strategies.

First, take stock of how well you currently manage cross-functional relationships. Identify your top five to eight stakeholders, then determine their strategic importance to you and how frequently you interact with them. Are you putting enough time and intention into the cross-enterprise relationships that matter most?

Next, assess how much time you spend leading across teams versus leading your own team. If you find that you’re spending too much time leading vertically, invest in making connections with the highest-value leaders on other teams.

Finally, build relationships. To foster healthy working relationships and trust with leaders on other teams, proactively clarify their motivations, constraints, and goals. Then find ways to win together, creating solutions and processes that are mutually beneficial.
This tip is adapted from “How to Lead Across a Siloed Organization,” by Jeff Rosenthal and Molly Rosen
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