How do you use cross-functional teams to advance your career?

1 Benefits of cross-functional teams

Cross-functional teams can help you grow professionally and personally in several ways. First, they can expose you to different perspectives, ideas, and approaches that can enrich your knowledge and creativity. Second, they can help you build relationships and trust with people from other areas of the organization, which can open up new opportunities and collaborations. Third, they can showcase your leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, as you have to coordinate, influence, and align diverse stakeholders. Fourth, they can challenge you to stretch yourself and adapt to changing situations, as you have to deal with ambiguity, uncertainty, and complexity.

2 Challenges of cross-functional teams

Cross-functional teams can also pose some difficulties and risks that you need to be aware of and prepared for. First, they can create role confusion and unclear expectations, as you have to balance your regular duties with your team responsibilities, and report to multiple managers or sponsors. Second, they can generate conflict and tension, as you have to navigate different agendas, priorities, and cultures, and manage competing interests and resources. Third, they can reduce efficiency and productivity, as you have to spend more time and effort on coordination, communication, and alignment, and deal with potential delays and bottlenecks. Fourth, they can affect your motivation and satisfaction, as you may feel isolated, frustrated, or overwhelmed by the team dynamics or outcomes.

4 Strategies for cross-functional teams

In addition to these skills, you also need to apply some strategies that will help you use cross-functional teams to advance your career. First, you need to seek out and volunteer for cross-functional projects that align with your interests, strengths, and goals. You also need to research and learn about the project topic, the team members, and the stakeholders, and identify how you can add value and make a difference. Second, you need to network and connect with your team members and stakeholders, and establish rapport and credibility with them. You also need to seek feedback and guidance from them, and acknowledge and appreciate their support and input. Third, you need to showcase and demonstrate your skills and achievements, and communicate your progress and results to your team members and managers. You also need to celebrate and share your successes and learnings with them, and highlight how they contributed to the project outcome. Fourth, you need to reflect and evaluate your performance and experience, and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You also need to update your resume and portfolio with your cross-functional projects, and use them as evidence of your skills and value.

5 Resources for cross-functional teams

If you want to learn more about cross-functional teams and how to use them to advance your career, you can check out some of these resources that will provide you with more insights, tips, and examples. First, you can read this book by Heidi K. Gardner, Smart Collaboration: How Professionals and Their Firms Succeed by Breaking Down Silos, which explains how cross-functional collaboration can enhance your performance, reputation, and career prospects. Second, you can watch this TEDx talk by Mattias Hallén, The Power of Cross-Functional Teams, which illustrates how cross-functional teams can solve complex problems and create innovative solutions. Third, you can take this online course by Coursera, High Performance Collaboration: Leadership, Teamwork, and Negotiation, which teaches you how to lead and participate in cross-functional teams effectively. Fourth, you can join this online community by LinkedIn, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, which connects you with other professionals who share their experiences, challenges, and best practices on cross-functional teams.