How can you promote cross-functional decision-making?

Sometimes you may overlook your stakeholders because you don't know what you don't know. A helpful tip is have not only your own internal list, but also ask other stakeholders who they think should be involved

Stakeholder mapping is a useful tool to determine who needs to be involved, at what juncture and for what. In coming out with the stakeholder map, can ask this question “Is there anyone else that we missed out that we will need to involve?” This helps to address possible blind spots if any.

Track all decisions, big or small, and have them live in one central location. All too often cross-functional decision making falls apart because communication was happening in a bubble, and certain parties that may have had a good perspective or seen a risk, are bypassed, resulting in issues later on. Communication pathways should be defined and followed by everyone involved.

Look for who is not talking, because they are probably thinking about the discussion the most. Ask them what they think when it’s appropriate, even if it’s as a follow up. Also, if you have jargon, acronyms, etc. please take the time to explain them. I do this as a tech person. If I say something like “API”, I want to ensure everyone feels confident about the meaning of it. Or the acronym “PR”, which means “pull request”, is loaded with a ton of context and non technical person might not know about. Taking a moment to bring someone up to speed, unlocks a whole new perspective they can bring to the discussion.

Having a shared vision or objective helps a lot. Conflicts in a cross-functional decision making process always arise when each function starts to focus on its own interest rather than the collective good for the organization. Alignment between the functions is essential and crucial piece to ensure success. This is where one's capabilities as a leader outshine. Showing the larger picture and greater good beyond just the functional value adds.

A useful tool for conflict management to bring the focus back on the common purpose. As an example, it can be the Customer, Employee, or the Citizen that the team is serving/ supporting. Design Thinking and Service Design are effective tools to do this. It can help divert the energy spent in conflict to what matters (i.e. the customer) and what collective actions, and not conflict, are required to deliver superior customer/ employee/ citizen experience. This brings the focus of the group back to the Purpose, and away from conflict.

As an addition to managing conflict: focus on the “how” versus the “what”. I have found it also important to emphasize that difference in opinions/thoughts does not correlate to conflict. We don’t want group think, and are encouraging differing views of opinion to be explored and elaborated on. Cross-functional teams have great perspectives from various lenses!

Effective cross-functional decision-making is an ongoing, dynamic process necessitating constant scrutiny and assessment. It involves gauging the decision's impact, effectiveness, and stakeholder satisfaction. Soliciting feedback from the decision-making cohort and other stakeholders is crucial for pinpointing successes and areas for improvement. Additionally, acknowledging achievements and recognizing the contributions of the cross-functional team fosters continued engagement and reinforces their commitment to collective success.

Promoting cross-functional decision-making involves breaking down silos, encouraging teamwork, and fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and integrated into the decision-making process. It takes time and effort, but the benefits of improved collaboration and more well-rounded decisions can significantly impact the success of an organization.

Here something more I would like to add : Clearly Define the Purpose and Goals: Clearly articulate the objectives and desired outcomes of the decision-making process. This shared understanding ensures everyone is aligned on the purpose and contributes meaningfully. Establish Effective Communication Channels: Create open and transparent communication channels that encourage active participation and information sharing. Use collaborative tools, regular meetings, and open forums to foster dialogue and exchange ideas. Embrace Diverse Perspectives: Encourage active listening, respect for different viewpoints, and a willingness to consider alternative perspectives. This fosters a culture of inclusivity and leads to more well-rounded decisions.

Body language cues is also a valid form of communication. During cross functional meetings, leaders should be able to interpret the body languages of members in the room and decipher if the members are responding positively to the agenda of the day.