Cross-Functional Relationship Design
Summary
As designers, we all know that the majority of our time is spent on people, not on designing. Nearly every designer has experienced some kind of “people problem” at work - such as a cross-functional partner that won’t collaborate. In this talk, Alla will offer an introduction to relationships - what they are, how they work, and how designers can create relationship interfaces so they can be 10 times more effective at work.
Key Insights
-
•
Harvard Business Review finds 75% of cross-functional teams are dysfunctional due to persistent silos.
-
•
Cross-functional relationships often fail due to competing priorities, differing communication styles, and lack of shared goals.
-
•
Relationships at work cycle through connection, disconnection, and repair, similar to a breathing process.
-
•
Connection happens when people feel seen, heard, and valued, which boosts collaboration and motivation.
-
•
Disconnection leads to treating people as obstacles or tools, increasing conflict and lowering productivity.
-
•
Repair attempts, including simple apologies or appreciation, prevent negativity from spiraling and restore connection.
-
•
Mapping your top five cross-functional relationships on the connection-disconnection-repair cycle reveals blind spots and opportunities.
-
•
The Enneagram personality system dramatically improves cross-functional understanding, trust, and communication.
-
•
Designing explicit relationship agreements (designed alliances) clarifies expectations and conflict management, improving teamwork.
-
•
Leadership must protect time for connection-building; otherwise, teams remain disconnected and inefficient.
Notable Quotes
"75% of cross-functional teams are dysfunctional because silos perpetuate themselves, even in cross-functional teams."
"Work gets done through our relationships, and that becomes more true the higher you go in your career."
"A relationship cycles through connection, disconnection, and repair, just like breathing has an inhale and an exhale."
"Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued."
"Disconnection is the breeding ground for conflict."
"When people feel disconnected, they start to objectify others as obstacles or vehicles to get work done."
"Repair is any action that prevents negativity from spiraling out of control and helps bring people back to connection."
"The quickest way I found to create connection is through the Enneagram personality assessment."
"Designed alliances make explicit the implicit ways our relationships work and how it feels to be engaged with them."
"You don’t have time not to build connections; the lack of connection is why everything is taking longer."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"As leaders, spending one-on-ones with managers can cascade connection-making culture down to teams."
Nick CochranGrowing in Enterprise Design through Making Connections
June 20, 2019
"People with disabilities must be involved as producers, contributors, and consumers throughout the digital creation process."
Amber KnablEmpowering innovation: The critical role of inclusive product development in the AI era
June 4, 2024
"It’s not that developers want to do design, they need to do it because they need to keep working on their projects."
Nora Tejeda Giovanna AlonsoScaling Design Capabilities at BBVA Through a Self-service Design Model
June 10, 2021
"Value gets exchanged only in the context of a relationship. Without a relationship, value isn’t exchanged."
Nathan ShedroffRedefining Value: Bridging the Innovation Culture Divide
May 14, 2015
"Scaling design in an enterprise is like having more feet in the car — it gets you there faster."
Lona MooreScaling Design Beyond Designers
June 11, 2021
"I am sick and tired of other people telling us what our role is without having done the work."
Jemma AhmedTheme 2 Intro
March 26, 2024
"Design systems act as a single source of truth facilitating collaboration among design and technology."
Sabrina Mach Nina WainwrightHow to Design Your Design Operating Model
September 29, 2021
"Having a business background is almost the oldest form of product management, but great product requires balancing design and tech too."
Kevin M. HoffmanTheme 2: Enterprise Team Journey
June 3, 2019
"This is the same conference in so many good ways — good ways are that it’s resilient and there’s a certain steadiness."
Bria Alexander Louis RosenfeldWelcome
January 8, 2024