Working for a large organization, one quickly learns that it is very easy for functions to become silo’d into their own worlds and very hard to get people to cross-pollinate. When this is the case, cross-functional collaboration is not only necessary, it is the name of the game, and without it ideas can get redundant and stale. Every once in a while things need to be aired out – and cross-functional collaboration is an open window on a sunny spring day.

Now that spring is in the air, physically and metaphorically – let’s discuss the benefits of cross-functional collaboration:

Relationship Building – there’s a reason why Steve Job’s designed Pixar’s building to have large community areas and wanted to strategically place all bathrooms in one area to encourage interaction (http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-designing-pixar-office-2015-3).  Communication is essential to good business and interaction is the first step. In this way, cross- functional collaboration efforts, at a high level, can create channels and avenues for communication that are extremely beneficial to innovation, creativity, and overall employee engagement.

Idea generation – sometimes a change of pace is all you need to have that eureka moment, though not guaranteed, it can’t hurt to meet new people and have a different conversation. In a large work environment, everyone brings different skills and life experiences to the table. If you talk to the same people every day, you’re likely to get the same outcomes. Branch out and don’t be afraid to have a “bad” idea (yes, there is such a thing) it’s your first step to your next great one.