Mobilizing a cross-functional team towards success.

So, you have been tasked with that important, high visibility project at work. Awesome! Only it requires a cross-functional team to not only be involved, but contribute significant time and energy to help you succeed. It requires support and resources from various stakeholders in various areas, and your success is riding on it. How do you mobilize others to become your allies to success?

It’s not easy winning the support of others, and it rides on building trust first and foremost. Here are my tips to success in mobilizing stakeholders to achieve success with your project:

• Share information: Take the time to brief your stakeholders on your vision. Do it individually if needed. It takes time, but it will allow thorough discussion and encourage individuals to contribute because of the more intimate setting.

• Incorporate their goals, and then tell them how your project can help them achieve those goals. Let them see “what’s in it for me?”

• Do your part of the work, so others feel the incentive to match your contribution

• Create an environment where ideas can be shared and incorporated from across the table

• Give credit to stakeholders where it is due, especially when socializing success stories

Mobilizing cross-functional teams and organizational leaders to gain support for your project is a key skill when it comes to leadership. As a leader, it’s not just about your directs. Your job is to build support for your work from a 360 degree perspective.

Good Luck!