Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication
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Effective boundary-spanning communication is essential in modern organizations as it enhances collaboration across various levels and functions. Key elements for success include fostering psychological safety, empathy, and clear communication while adapting to diverse groups and changing environments. Google’s analysis highlights that team norms rather than individual talent often drive effective collaboration, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal trust and collective intelligence.
Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication
- 1. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting1 Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication
- 2. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting2 It’s not your father’s (or mother’s) work world differentiated customers flexibility cut costs workforce diversity changing demographics increased competition quicker response time flat org networked complex products better information technology globalization saturated markets exploit regional cost/expertise/needs differences better communication, and transportation technology fast changing customer needs T R E N D S I N O R G A N I Z A T I O N S fast pace of change
- 3. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting3 The result: boundary spanners are key What differentiates boundary spanners: Communication VERTICAL Across levels and hierarchy HORIZONTAL Across functions and expertise STAKEHOLDER Beyond boundaries of the company with external partners DEMOGRAPHIC Across diverse groups (e.g. gender, ethnic, nationality) GEOGRAPHIC Across regions and locality
- 4. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting4 Communication isn’t part of the job—it is the job Average leader spends 85-90% of their time communicating Communication skills are cited most often as the key differentiator of potential and performance In global, matrix organizations, effective communication is even more challenging—and even more essential Leaders must be entrepreneurs of meaning and architects of collaboration. — Gary Hamel
- 5. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting5 What do we know about what makes people effective communicators and boundary-spanners? What’s above the surface is the content and presentation of the message What’s under the surface is the psychological, neurological and emotional context of the communication
- 6. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting6 Google study Neuroscience Social science Looking “under the surface”
- 7. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting7 Google Study on Effective Teams—Why? Google noticed that it’s practice of “hiring the best” and putting them together as a team doesn’t work consistently Nearly all of the focus of HR talent management practices is on the individual— and yet... Collaborative activities are essential to almost every role inside the modern corporation Nearly all “business outcomes driver” work is collaborative in nature Matrixed organizations are the norm, not the exception Some managers and leaders seem to be consistently better than others at building great teams and enabling effective collaboration Some teams seemed to be better than others despite weak or inexperienced or even missing managers/leader
- 8. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting8 Google: Analyzes Data, Finds Patterns Google looked at groups that were ranked among Google’s most effective teams and found: Some were composed of friends who socialized outside work Others were made up of people who were basically strangers away from the conference room Some groups had strong managers Others had little to no “management” Most confounding of all, two teams might have nearly identical makeups, with overlapping memberships, but radically different levels of effectiveness. ‘‘At Google, we’re good at finding patterns, There weren’t strong patterns here.’’
- 9. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting9 Shift from “Individual” to “Group Norms” Lots of solid research that “group norms” are the key to unlocking “collective intelligence” After looking at over 100 groups for over a year, Google researchers shifted focus to look at “group norms” as the potential key to team success Google identified dozens of behaviors that seemed important Only problem: the data sometimes pointed in opposite directions Great teams didn’t obviously share the same norms: o Was it better to let everyone speak as much as they wanted, or should strong leaders end meandering debates? Yes. o Was it more effective for people to openly disagree with one another, or should conflicts be played down? Yes. But, if you dig deeper, there are key norms that differentiate team performance—and unlock “collective intelligence”
- 10. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting10 Unlocking Collective Intelligence—Essentials Psychological safety A team climate characterized by interpersonal trust and mutual respect in which people are comfortable being themselves; a shared belief held by members of a team that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking Specific ways this shows up in teams: o Social sensitivity—i.e., intuiting how others feel based on their tone of voice, their expressions and other nonverbal cues o Conversational turn-taking—i.e., everyone gets about the same time to speak and everyone practices good listening The foundational and essential capabilities: o Empathy o Compassion o Interpersonal communication o Authenticity
- 11. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting11 Neuroscience findings People perform better in the “presence” of others Novelty is perceived as threat neurologically— Oxytocin reduces anxiety-based threat response and increases “intelligent” response to threat Successful new entrants seek first to “fit in” and bond with the group—new ideas are perceived as threats until the trust is built High trust/High expectations creates a “force field” that facilitates consistently high performance Oxytocin—the “bonding hormone”— builds in relationships over time through re- occurring positive experiences
- 12. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting12 Looking “above the surface” Communication mores have really changed— and continue to evolve Information overload everywhere, all the time Key “new realities”—what’s essential for communication to be effective o Audience, audience, audience o Context and why o The power of plot o Trust trumps “position”
- 13. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting13 So what do you “do” with all of this? Working “under the surface” Working “above the surface”
- 14. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting14 So what do you “do” with all of this? Working “under the surface” Cultivate awareness of self and others Demonstrate empathy and compassion Show up with authenticity Make space for others to show up with authenticity Nurture high- expectations
- 15. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting15 So what do you “do” with all of this? Working “above the surface” Listen holistically Frame your communication, provide context, say why Make the plotline simple and clear Ensure the emotional tone doesn’t erode trust Build positive “lore” — reputation and personal brand
- 16. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting16
- 17. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting17 People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. — Terry Pearce Author of Leading from Within
- 18. Effective Boundary-Spanning Communication | Blue Beyond Consulting18 Thank you For more information about Blue Beyond Consulting, visit bluebeyondconsulting.com. @bluebeyondteam /bluebeyondconsulting /bluebeyondconsulting @cfieldstyler /cherylfieldstyler FOLLOW ME: FOLLOW BLUE BEYOND:
Editor's Notes
- #2: Women of the Channel West — Workshop | 5/17/16 Presented by Cheryl Fields Tyler, CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting Effective Leadership Communication in a Matrixed, Global Organization Remember: if you don’t explain it, someone else will and you may not like the outcome. -Peter Drucker The people in your organization are bombarded by messaging from multiple directions. But, more information doesn't correlate to aligned understanding and effective execution. In our matrixed, global, media-saturated world, how do you connect with your employees and colleagues in ways that create alignment, motivation and commitment? Cheryl Fields Tyler, Founder and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting will help leaders gathered in this workshop to assess their own approach to communication and consider ways they can tap their authentic voice and use innovative means to improve engagement, alignment, and business outcomes within and across the organization.
- #3: Narrative: Leadership matters, communication matters, you matter – but today, that’s not enough. Many companies, like Oracle – are now facing profound, day-to-day challenges with the new reality of operating in a global, matrixed organization, such as: -Time changes -Culture differences -Indirect reporting lines Engage audience here. What are some common challenges you are facing? [Cheryl, this will give you a sense of their challenges so you can adapt as necessary] “A foundational element for any global leader is the need to look at the big picture while at the same time consulting with key stakeholders at every level.... leaders are adept at building partnerships, both one-to-one and one-to-many, as a matter of habit. They emphasize horizontal leadership such as peer coaching, for example, to help project stakeholders help each other.” (HBR Blog Network)