Organizational value silos are found in all sizes and shapes of companies. Initially, silos are created and nurtured by business and hiring models which categorize people into functional roles based on how they solve problems. Then, these silos are perpetuated by problem-solving tools, mindset, and terminology “owned” by the professional disciplines inhabiting these silos.
As a result, value silos easily become their own domains, with their own cultures. Over time, pride of ownership within these domains creates a sense of professional exclusivity within these cultures.
Have you ever felt marginalized, dismissed, or even excluded as a member of one professional culture trying to engage in a cross-functional team? I have been there, too.
However, cross-functional problem-solving generates a strategic story about poking holes in organizational value silos.
First, this strategy catalyzes teams to take a more non-traditional, less habit-bound, direction for engagement. From the start, this strategy becomes an innovative way to shift the human dynamics within the most staid organizational cultures. Also, everyone becomes engaged in doing the same things, yet subtly differently. As a result, they have different conversations with one another, design different solutions, and create different stories together. That is professional innovation and cross-functional leadership in the making.
I recently spoke at a SHRM conference, delivering my Purpose-Driven Storytelling Pokes Holes in Organizational Value Silos presentation. This talk is tailor-make for human resources and project management professionals who get bogged down in tactical stuff rather than remaining strategic. Looking for an innovative, non-traditional speaker for your next event, or chapter meeting? Contact me here.
When I deliver this particular talk, during the post-talk Q&A, the same comment always is voiced. “I never saw ‘what I do’ in the workplace each day as part of a story. At the end of the day I always end up feeling like a tactical order-taker.” I catalyze people to voice their unmet career needs to each other. Because, they may not feel free to do so within their current organizational value silos.
I hear you. I’ve been there, too. When you feel like a functional cog in the wheel of an organizational value silo, it is difficult to see the light of day outside of that silo.
Organizational, and departmental, cultures immerse people in a barrage of daily To-Do’s. As a result of that tactical focus, “what you do” is rarely given the opportunity to connect with “what everyone else does” across the organization. Consequently, the true worth of you, as a professional of strategic business and human capital value, is yet not fully realized. Are you ready to change that dynamic, and your career trajectory?
You have a choice to make and small steps forward to take to get to where you really need to go, together. One millimeter at a time. You can choose to connect your professional story across organizational value silos.
Instead of waiting for an invitation from “someone, somewhere”, choose to reach out to potential cross-functional resources. Determine how to leverage your “what I do” stories to maximize value and strategic impact. As a result of your actions, you start poking holes in organizational value silos. One millimeter at a time, if that is what it takes. Over time, your choices and actions impact organizational culture by flattening its structure.
Searching for a coaching catalyst to get you unstuck professionally? Looking for a meeting or event speaker focused on what is new and next? Then engage me to present a One Millimeter Mindset ™ program! Delivered virtually or in-person.
Change Agent | Collaboration Catalyst | Complex Problem Solver | Professional Innovation | Cross Functional Leadership | Speaker, Consultant, Coach, Author |
To learn more about incorporating Complex / PMI-certified Wicked Problem Solving into your professional arsenal of awesomeness, contact me here. I will send you my affiliate link.
Babette Ten Haken’s One Millimeter Mindset™ programs catalyze people who solve problems differently to collaborate more successfully. Become more professionally visible, cross-functionally relevant, and strategically valuable as you create and implement innovative and robust business outcomes together. Babette is a business-oriented STEM professional, qualitative Voice of the Customer facilitator, PMI-certified Complex / Wicked Problem Solver, 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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