How many cross functional opportunities do each of us have every day? Because these opportunities can redefine our professional value, moving forward.
Cross functional opportunities are created both intentionally as well as arising quite unintentionally. Often, because we do not realize we are in the midst of such an opportunity. Mostly because we seem to toil on teams with people who may not bring out our professional best.
What we do next is firmly in our hands. Together.
How we create cross functional opportunities defines our future professional value.
In my keynotes, workshops and coaching, you and I focus on projects and teams which tend be written off as failures. Yet, these scenarios create incubators for the professional epiphanies which rewrite our career trajectories.
All because of the choices we make, together.
On the surface, team members appear disruptive, enigmatic, dysfunctional, adversarial, or complacent. Plus project scope is predictable, conservative and standard. All we are expected to do is follow the “how we do this” recipe, dutifully adhered to in the past. Yet the decisions we make along the way, together, because of asking the right questions and bravely answering them together, get us where we really need to go. Together. One millimeter at a time.
Ultimately, our individual and collective destination and outcome are beyond what we ever would anticipate. Because first, we realize we need to learn more about each other’s professional disciplines. Next, we realize how each discipline solves problems slightly differently. Then, as we compare and contrast, we begin to ask: “What if?” and “How might we?” questions. These questions move us one millimeter beyond how we always solve problems. And then, we collectively choose to move another millimeter forward together.
Because as we motivate each other, we rewire our professional DNA more cross-functionally. Consequently, we become more professionally visible, cross-functionally relevant, and strategically valuable. All as a result of taking those mission-critical one millimeter steps forward, together.
Are you ready to take your first, one millimeter step forward? Cross-train your brain and motivation. Become more professionally visible, cross-functionally relevant, and strategically valuable. Together.
Planning your next team, corporate or association meeting? Searching for a one-on-one catalyst to get you unstuck? Engage me to present a One Millimeter Mindset ™ program! Delivered virtually or in-person. Contact me here.
Babette Ten Haken | Change Catalyst | Purpose-Driven Professional Innovation | Cross-Functional Team Leadership | Trust-Based Client Retention | In Person & Virtual Speaker, Consultant, Coach, Author |
Babette Ten Haken, Founder & President of One Millimeter Mindset™ Speaking & Consulting, catalyzes trust-based, purpose-driven, cross-functional leadership. She leverages Voice of the Customer and storytelling to translate across communication and collaboration disconnects impacting successful business outcomes across people and professional disciplines. Babette is a cross-functional business-oriented STEM professional, qualitative Voice of the Customer facilitator, and Six Sigma Green Belt (Quality). She is a member of the ASQ, SHRM, PMI, the National Speakers Association. Her playbook of cross-functional collaboration, Do YOU Mean Business? is available on Amazon.com. Contact Babette here. Image source: Adobe Stock.
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