Cross-Functional Collaboration and Influence

OVERVIEW

Organizations that understand the benefits of good communication prioritize and constantly strive to achieve better working relationships through establishing trust, credibility, and mutual value. They create productive work environments that encourage higher levels of employee and team performance, a common sense of purpose and better business results.

KEY TOPICS

Building Trust 

• Understand why trust is the foundation for effective collaboration
• Apply strategies for building a foundation of trust over time
• Identify common causes of broken trust and learn strategies for rebuilding relationships

The Role of Influencing and Convincing

• Understand why influence is critical to cross-functional collaboration
• Learn strategies to influence without formal authority
• Recognize common barriers to effective influence and collaboration
• Use influence to build trust, reduce conflict, strengthen collaboration, and get work done more effectively

Dealing with Pushback

• Maintain a positive mindset when faced with pushback
• Understand why people resist or push back
• Use open-ended and closed-ended questions to uncover concerns and gain understanding

Gaining Alignment

• Recognize the signs and impact of alignment and misalignment between individuals and teams
• Apply active listening and positive intent to move conversations toward alignment
• Practice developing questions that helps address pushback and create shared understanding

Breaking Down Silos

• Explore the impact of silos on individuals, teams, and organizational results
• Learn best practices to break down silos

Communicating Effectively

• Balance inquiry and advocacy in collaborative conversations
• Strengthen active listening skills and overcome common barriers to effective listening
• Use active listening and thought-provoking questions to improve communication and clarity

Understand Working Styles for Effective Influence

• Gain insight into your preferred styles of working and communicating effectively with others
• Understand how different working styles influence communication, decision-making, and collaboration
• Learn how to adapt your communication and influence approach to different styles
• Understand others’ styles and how to influence them
• Identify strategies for communicating, collaborating, and influencing with each style

Seek and Leverage Different Perspectives

• Recognize the value of multiple viewpoints in decision-making and collaboration
• Learn strategies for engaging individuals with different goals and perspectives
• Putting it all together: teamwork and collaboration

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