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Bridging the Divide: Lessons in Interdepartmental Collaboration

Writer's picture: Kryssie ThomsonKryssie Thomson

Updated: Oct 13, 2024

Let’s face it, silos in organizations are a killer. They slow down progress, create unnecessary frustration, and ultimately drag everyone down. Recently, I worked with a team battling this exact issue. Departments weren’t talking to each other, people were stuck in their own lanes, and as a result, nothing was getting done effectively. Sound familiar?

Here’s the reality, if your teams are disconnected and focused only on their own priorities, your business is going nowhere fast. During this coaching session, we dug into the root of the problem and found some key pain points that any business dealing with silos can relate to.


The Real Issues Holding Teams Back


  • No Shared Objectives: When teams have their own agendas and no clear company-wide goals, it’s a mess. Everyone thinks their work is more important than the next guy’s, and collaboration is dead in the water.

  • Communication Breakdowns: Different communication styles can lead to major misunderstandings. People avoid being upfront or are just plain bad at expressing themselves, which only adds to the chaos.

  • Fear of Change: We all know someone who resists new processes because they’re comfortable with “how things have always been done.” That mindset cripples progress.

  • Unclear Roles: When no one knows who’s supposed to do what, it’s a breeding ground for finger-pointing and frustration. Without clear roles, you’re setting your team up for failure.


What Actually Works


So how do you break down these barriers and get teams working together? Here’s what we found actually works:


  1. Lead by Example: The leader in this situation stepped up, admitted they needed help, and showed a commitment to personal growth. If you’re not willing to grow, don’t expect your team to.

  2. Stay Curious, Not Defensive: One simple shift made a huge difference, getting people to approach conflicts with curiosity instead of jumping to conclusions. Ask questions, figure out where the other person’s coming from, and you’ll get a lot further than making assumptions.

  3. Appreciate People the Way They Want: Not everyone wants a gold star. Some people like public recognition, others prefer a private thank-you. Tailor how you show appreciation, and you’ll see your team start to feel valued and motivated. (Many leaders take my workshop on Workplace Appreciation to learn more).

  4. Create Space for Open Conversations: If you’re not giving your team the opportunity to talk things out, frustrations, ideas, whatever, you’re missing out. Structured time for open dialogue breaks down walls and gets people working towards the same goal.


The Bottom Line


Bringing teams together isn’t going to be an overnight fix, and it sure as hell isn’t easy. But here’s the thing: if you don’t address the real issues, communication breakdowns, unclear roles, and resistance to change, you’re going to stay stuck. The payoff? A team that actually works together shares ownership and gets results.

Don’t wait for things to get better on their own. Break down the silos, get everyone on the same page, and watch your team unlock the kind of innovation and success that only comes from real collaboration.


No fluff, just the truth.


Notice ❤️


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