Across our global client base, our 4,000 coaches work with leaders on many common leadership themes and challenges, regardless of the organisation or industry sector they work for, or their geographical location.

One of the most common leadership behaviours that we develop with our clients, is that of developing cross functional relationships.

As a leadership skill, building and improving cross-functional relationships is crucial for senior leaders, as it fosters collaboration, innovation, and alignment across departments.

Here are some key strategies that leaders can deploy to improve cross functional relationships inside the organisations they work within:

  1. Develop a Clear Vision and Shared Goals: Ensure that everyone understands the broader organisational goals and how each function contributes to them. Regularly communicate this vision and encourage leaders of different functions to aline their departmental objectives with these goals.
  2. Encourage Open Communication: Create channels for transparent, ongoing communication. This could be thru cross-functional meetings, shared digital platforms, or even informal cheque-ins. Encourage open dialog to foster trust and make it easier to address any issues proactively.
  3. Model Collaborative Behaviour: As a senior leader, set the example by actively collaborating with peers from other departments. Attend their meetings, understand their challenges, and be a visible supporter of cross-functional initiatives. Showing that you value collaboration will encourage others to do the same.
  4. Leverage Cross-Functional Teams and Projects: Establish cross-functional teams for strategic initiatives or projects. This gives employees a chance to work closely with people from different departments, building both familiarity and respect. Assign clear roles and ensure each team has the resources and support needed to succeed.
  5. Address and Mitigate Silos: Identify and address any organisational silos. Encourage functional leaders to break down these barriers and prioritise initiatives that benefit the organisation as a whole rather than just their area.
  6. Recognise and Reward Collaboration: Incentivise cross-functional co-operation by recognising and rewarding collaborative efforts. Highlighting successful partnerships can motivate others and reenforce the value of working together.
  7. Invest in Relationship-Building Activities: Organise events or sessions that allow teams to connect beyond work tasks. This could be in the form of team-building exercises, leadership workshops, or off-sites where they can develop stronger personal relationships.
  8. Develop Empathy and Understanding: Encourage leaders to understand the challenges and objectives of other functions. Facilitating empathy can help bridge differences and foster respect, especially in high-stakes situations where goals may conflict.
  9. Utilise Conflict Resolution Strategies: Differences in priorities can lead to tension. As a senior leader, equip yourself with conflict resolution skills and mediate as needed to keep interactions positive and productive. Support constructive conversations that focus on solutions rather than blame.
  10. Evaluate and Adapt: Regularly assess the effectiveness of cross-functional relationships. Gather feedback, identify areas of improvement, and adapt your approach as the organisation evolves. By staying responsive, you can continuously improve collaboration across teams. With consistency and commitment to these principles, senior leaders can strengthen cross-functional relationships, build trust, and create a more cohesive organisation.

At Global Coach Group UK (GCG UK), we are committed to harnessing the full potential of leadership coaching by promoting the involvement of coworkers in the development proces.  For more information on how GCG UK can assist your leaders visit our Leadership Coaching page. Connect with our network of over 4,000 exceptional coaches to begin your leaders’ journey towards confident and effective leadership today