Strategies for Collaborating With Allies

Too often, I’ve been in a meeting where everyone agreed collaboration was essential—yet when it came to execution, things stalled. Silos persisted, friction rose, and progress felt painfully slow. A recent Harvard Business Review article highlights a frustrating truth: even the best-intentioned leaders struggle to work across functions. Why? Because traditional leadership development focuses on vertical leadership (managing teams) rather than lateral leadership (influencing peers across the business). The best cross-functional leaders operate differently. They don’t just lead their teams—they master LATERAL AGILITY: the ability to move side to side, collaborate effectively, and drive results without authority. The article suggests three strategies on how to do this: (1) Think Enterprise-First. Instead of fighting for their department, top leaders prioritize company-wide success. They ask: “What does the business need from our collaboration?” rather than “How does this benefit my team?” (2) Use "Paradoxical Questions" to Avoid Stalemates. Instead of arguing over priorities, they find a way to win together by asking: “How can we achieve my objective AND help you meet yours?” This shifts the conversation from turf battles to solutions. (3) “Make Purple” Instead of Pushing a Plan. One leader in the article put it best: “I bring red, you bring blue, and together we create purple.” The best collaborators don’t show up with a fully baked plan—they co-create with others to build trust and alignment. In my research, I’ve found that curiosity is so helpful in breaking down silos. Leaders who ask more questions—genuinely, not just performatively—build deeper trust, uncover hidden constraints, and unlock creative solutions. - Instead of assuming resistance, ask: “What constraints are you facing?” - Instead of pushing a plan, ask: “How might we build this together?” - Instead of guarding your function’s priorities, ask: “What’s the bigger picture we’re missing?” Great collaboration isn’t about power—it’s about perspective. And the leaders who master it create workplaces where innovation thrives. Which of these strategies resonates with you most? #collaboration #leadership #learning #skills https://lnkd.in/esC4cfjS

Over the years, I've discovered the truth: Game-changing products won't succeed unless they have a unified vision across sales, marketing, and product teams. When these key functions pull in different directions, it's a death knell for go-to-market execution. Without alignment on positioning and buyer messaging, we fail to communicate value and create disjointed experiences. So, how do I foster collaboration across these functions? 1) Set shared goals and incentivize unity towards that North Star metric, be it revenue, activations, or retention. 2) Encourage team members to work closely together, building empathy rather than skepticism of other groups' intentions and contributions. 3) Regularly conduct cross-functional roadmapping sessions to cascade priorities across departments and highlight dependencies. 4) Create an environment where teams can constructively debate assumptions and strategies without politics or blame. 5) Provide clarity for sales on target personas and value propositions to equip them for deal conversations. 6) Involve all functions early in establishing positioning and messaging frameworks. Co-create when possible. By rallying together around customers’ needs, we block and tackle as one team towards product-market fit. The magic truly happens when teams unite towards a shared mission to delight users!

Building Strong Alliances with Peers: The Often Overlooked Key to Leadership Success In the realm of executive leadership, one truth stands out: the power of strong alliances with peers. Navigating complex organizational landscapes becomes exponentially easier when you have a robust network of allies by your side. Today, I want to share insights from a seasoned executive client who mastered this art and transformed his Chief of Sales leadership journey. His success in building peer alliances was not accidental; it was the result of deliberate actions and a strategic approach. Here are the three key things my client did and continues to practice today: 1. Embraced Authentic Communication: Genuine relationships are built on trust and transparency. Make it a priority to engage in open and honest conversations with peers. By sharing your challenges, successes, and seeking input, you foster a culture of mutual respect and collaboration. 2. Aligned Goals and Shared Vision: Aligning your goals with those of your peers. Invest time in understanding their priorities and finding common ground. By aligning your objectives with the broader vision of the team, everyone will be working towards a shared purpose. This not only strengthens alliances but also propels organizations towards achieving strategic goals. 3. Showed Consistent Appreciation: Acknowledging the contributions of others is a simple yet powerful way to build strong relationships. Be intentional and sincere about recognizing the efforts and successes of your peers. Whether it’s a public shout-out in meetings or a personal note of appreciation, consistent recognition fosters a positive and collaborative environment. As an executive coach, I’ve seen firsthand how building strong alliances can elevate leadership effectiveness. It’s about being authentic, aligning goals, and showing appreciation. These principles not only enhance your professional relationships but also drive organizational success. To all aspiring leaders, remember that your peers are your greatest assets. Nurture these relationships, and you’ll find that navigating the complexities of leadership becomes a shared journey of growth and achievement. #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #PeerAlliances #TeamSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment

Underrated marketing skill: Collaboration Collaboration is "the action of working with someone to produce or create something." Marketers are expected to understand the big picture and get everyone aligned on the action plan to create customers. On paper that seems simple enough. In reality, that's easier said than done. When you work with opinionated (and busy) leaders, it can be impossible to make any progress. It may seem easier to give up or sit back and let someone else take the lead. Whether you are... - implementing new tech - identifying new customer insights - setting up new marketing campaigns You can't do it alone. Here are a few tips to make collaborating with your peers more effective. 1) Be a leader First, understand that every project needs a leader. For marketing initiatives, that's you. :) Identify the stakeholders who are critical to helping you achieve your goal, then invite them to collaborate with you. 2) Set Expectations Create a plan with clear goals, timelines, tasks and roles. Ensure that all of your stakeholders understand that this is a TEAM effort - their participation and input are critical to the project's success. If they can't give it their full attention, ask them to appoint someone else who can. 3) Proactively seek feedback Effective collaboration is about understanding different perspectives. You may think you have alignment, only to discover later that one department isn't bought in. Make sure you proactively seek out different opinions/ ideas/ thoughts so that you can address all concerns (before it's too late). 4) Share progress Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. Keep everyone informed so they don't go rogue and spin up unnecessary work. 5) Realize the difference between collaboration and consensus Your project may stall if you seek 100% agreement on everything. Compromises must be made, which means identifying and leaning on your project sponsor to help. This is typically a senior executive (or ultimate decision-maker) who is willing to accept the risks and keep the project moving ahead. TLDR; Collaboration isn't optional in marketing. Here are 5 tips to improve. #b2bmarketing #marketingskills #strategy