Being adaptable in the ever-changing business environment means recognizing that successful collaboration between team members and leaders also exists under changing circumstances. This makes effective collaboration somewhat more elusive—especially when working in a cross-functional team. Leaders who can manage collaborative and agile cross-functional teams will create a competitive advantage for their organizations moving into the future.
What Is a Cross-Functional Team?
Cross-functional teams are comprised of workers from different verticals, departments, or smaller teams with varying expertise and viewpoints. Individuals are chosen for their specific skill sets with the intention to that they will collaborate on a common goal or project. This approach allows for a larger breadth of knowledge and experiences within a team, in turn, fostering creativity and innovation through collaborative decision-making.
Why Cross-Functional Teamwork Is Important
The benefits of cross-functional teams are many. The mix of viewpoints and experiences within a cross-functional team enhances their problem-solving capabilities. Diverse perspectives from within different departments or verticals can inform one another, leading to a potentially better solutions than a single team or worker may have designed. By forming a cross-functional team, leaders harness skills and knowledge from different disciplines, allowing creative solutions to emerge.
This goes hand in hand with increased adaptability. Cross-functional teams can be better at adjusting to dynamic changes within a project or company. Some cross-functional team examples include healthcare initiatives, which may bring together doctors, nurses, and administrative professionals to ensure better patient health outcomes; and technology initiatives, which may bring together programmers, designers, market research, and more to bring a product to market. Cross-functional teams have been used to achieve everything from putting a man on the moon to designing self-driving cars.
Potential Problems with Working Cross-Functionally
A cross-functional team needs to be led carefully to ensure maximum benefit, meaning there are pitfalls to avoid.
First, collaboration inherently implies a common purpose or pursuit that members are rallying around or focusing on (a point discussed previously with the importance of a clear purpose and vision). If a clear vision or goal is not set, cross-functional teams can be left in chaos with no set finish line. Further, goals should be well understood by each member of the team so everyone not only understands the purpose of reaching the goal, but how they may best fit into to process to support a successful outcome.
If decision-making is hampered by a lack of team or individual autonomy, cross-functional teams may find themselves hobbled. Incorporating input from diverse team members can only be put into practice when teams have the resources and permissions to move forward. Equip cross-functional teams with what they need to complete the work and watch them shine.
Dale Carnegie’s research also shows that as the frequency of interaction between team members drops, so does the chance they will be a high-performing team. Cross-functional teams need to be mindful of communication, particularly now as technology continues to advance in the age of AI. Successful collaboration means not only being up to date on the latest technologies for communication but also exhibiting effective interpersonal skills that lead to successful teams.
How to Build a High-Performing Cross-Functional Team
One of the best ways to build a high-performing team is to prepare the leaders who manage them. Leaders who understand that collaboration is enhanced when each team member’s skills and abilities are understood by one another create an agile environment and support cross-functional teamwork efforts.
From connecting and collaborating with others to effective communications and human relations, Dale Carnegie can help you supercharge your cross-functional efforts. Start building a high-performing team today with the help of Dale Carnegie. To learn more, browse available resources, or find your local Dale Carnegie partner, visit dalecarnegie.com.