Boundaries Spanning
In today’s knowledge economy organizations are transforming from rigid hierarchical structures to networked structures with flows of people, information, and resources across boundaries. Ever-increasing interconnections facilitated by advances in technology have led to new forms of organizing such as cross-functional teams, virtual workgroups, and cross sector partnerships. This shift has given rise to a set of mission critical boundaries that leaders have to work across.
Boundaries exist. What really matters is how leaders collaborate to bridge these divides and transform wide-ranging talents and knowledge to deliver value. Catalyze collaboration, drive innovation, transform organizations - Boundary Spanning Leadership can turn today’s limiting borders into tomorrow’s limitless frontiers.
OUR PERSPECTIVE:
A decade-long program of research involving more than 50 researchers associated with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) has shown the nature of various boundaries:
The 5 Boundaries of Leadership®
The researchers focused on five types of boundaries:
Vertical: Rank, class, seniority, authority, power
Horizontal: Expertise, function, peers
Stakeholder: Partners, constituencies, value chain, communities
Demographic: Gender, generation, nationality, culture, personality, ideology
Geographic: Location, region, markets
WHAT WE OFFER
Exploration of current divides and frontiers
Prioritization of important for strategy execution boundaries to span
Selection of proper from 6 boundaries spanning practices
Buffering (Define Boundaries)
Outcome = Safety & Security
Reflecting (Understand Boundaries)
Outcome = Awareness & Respect
Connecting (Suspend Boundaries)
Outcome = Mutual Confidence & Trust
Mobilizing (Reframe Boundaries)
Outcome = Community Ownership & Accountability
Weaving (Interlace Boundaries)
Outcome = Interdependence & Collective Learning
Transforming (Cross-Cut Boundaries)
Outcome = Reinvention & Alternative Futures
Conversion of selected practices into specific action plans
For development of Individual boundary spanning leadership competence
For development of team boundary spanning leadership capabilities
For development of organizational boundary spanning leadership culture
Implementation of action plans
Assessment of results
Modification of plans if needed
Celebration and documentation of the project
KEY INSIGNTS:
BOOK
Boundary Spanning Leadership
By Chris Ernst and Donna Chrobot-Mason, Center for Creative Leadership
This book helps you build the essential boundary spanning capabilitiesyou need to lead people fractured by strongly held values, beliefs, feelings,and practices that seem impossible to reconcile
WHITE PAPER
BSL - Mission Critical Perspectives from the Executive Suite
By Center for Creative Leadership
This survey focuses on pressing trends and challenges affecting their organizations, and the role of leadership in spanning vertical, horizontal, stakeholder, demographic, and geographic boundaries.
WHITE PAPER
Boundary Spanning in Action
By Center for Creative Leadership
By exploring interdependent leadershipapproaches to boundary spanning, organizationsand groups are collaborating across functions,empowering employees at all levels, anddeveloping cross-organizational learning abilities.
