Influence in Leadership: Navigating Complex Structures

In this episode of 'Impactful Teamwork,' host Julia Felton delves into the complexities of leading and influencing people in matrix organisations. Drawing from her corporate experience and recent research from the Center for Creative Leadership, Julia outlines the importance of forming relationships across various boundaries within an organisation to achieve greater collaboration, innovation, and overall success.

She discusses the five types of organizational boundaries—horizontal, vertical, stakeholder, demographic, and geographic—and offers practical strategies for effectively managing these boundaries to build stronger, cross-functional teams.

Julia underscores the vital role of psychological safety and the benefits of diverse, interconnected team dynamics. Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps to develop relationships that span these boundaries, improving both personal and organizational outcomes.

00:00 Introduction to Leading in a Matrix Organization

01:08 The Importance of Building Relationships

04:16 Examples of Effective Relationship Building

07:10 Challenges in Creating Cross-Functional Relationships

07:37 Types of Organizational Boundaries

18:14 Strategies for Effective Boundary Spanning

25:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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