Inter-team liaising is one of the most fundamental yet
often neglected aspects of a company’s functioning. It is puzzling why
organizations fail to recognize its significance because, no matter how good or
bad a business plan or idea might be, a lack of collaboration between teams
should never be the reason for failure. Unfortunately, it often becomes one of
the biggest barriers to growth and progress.
Think about it—having a team of skilled, intelligent, and
motivated individuals is an incredible asset. However, if these teams are
working in silos or unintentionally pulling in different directions, the
organization’s goals can become unattainable. It’s like the top management is
painstakingly building a smooth road to success while the internal teams
inadvertently create bumps and obstacles, slowing down the journey. This
disconnect doesn’t just delay growth; it wastes valuable resources, time, and energy
that could otherwise be channelled into innovation and strategic expansion.
The Importance of a Clear Message from Top to
Bottom
For any organization to achieve its goals, it is essential
that the vision and strategies are communicated effectively throughout the
hierarchy. This isn’t limited to department heads or team leads—it must reach
every individual, down to the office staff. Everyone should have a basic
understanding of what the company is aiming for and how their role contributes
to the bigger picture.
Merely creating a sales plan or introducing lucrative
incentives for one department, such as sales, is not enough. Backend teams must
also be prepared and aligned with these objectives. For example, consider a
bank or NBFC aiming to dominate the secured loan market. While the sales team
may be incentivized and driven to bring in more business, the operations team
needs to be ready to process a surge in applications, the risk team must
evaluate how this growth aligns with the company’s credit policies, and the
marketing team must shape campaigns that reflect this vision. Without this
level of preparedness and alignment, even the most motivated sales team will
struggle to achieve the desired results.
It’s Not Just Sales—It’s Everyone
Motivating a sales team with attractive incentives might
drive numbers temporarily, but it’s not sustainable unless the entire
organization is aligned. Growth and success are never the responsibility of one
team alone. Every department—sales, operations, marketing, risk, compliance,
and even the administrative staff—must move in unison toward the company’s
goals. If one department lags or resists, it can derail the efforts of others.
In fact, if incentives are being provided to the sales team
to boost performance, it’s worth considering how other departments can be
recognized and rewarded for their contributions as well. This fosters a sense
of shared responsibility and ensures that all teams are equally invested in the
success of the initiative. After all, no single cog in the machine can function
without the others, and every employee deserves to feel valued and
acknowledged.
Breaking the Cycle of Personal Biases
It is astonishing how often teams allow personal
preferences, biases, or misunderstandings to influence their work. When
employees prioritize their own likes and dislikes over the company’s vision, it
creates unnecessary friction and confusion. Such behaviour, though seemingly
minor, can have a cascading effect on the organization, delaying goals and
creating inefficiencies.
This is why fostering a culture of inter-team liaising is
so critical. And no, it’s not something that can be achieved through
surface-level initiatives like “Fun Fridays” or team-building exercises alone.
While these activities might boost morale temporarily, they don’t address the
deeper need for genuine collaboration and alignment. Inter-team liaising must
be embedded into the organization’s daily workflow and treated as a core value,
not an afterthought.
The Role of Leadership in Driving Collaboration
Top management plays a pivotal role in building this
culture of collaboration. Leaders must work closely with department heads to
ensure that every team understands the company’s direction and what is expected
of them. This requires ongoing communication, clear guidance, and a commitment
to breaking down silos. It’s about making sure that every employee feels
connected to the larger mission and understands how their work contributes to
the company’s success.
When leadership actively fosters inter-team coordination,
it prevents the organization from wasting time and energy on problems caused by
poor communication and misalignment. Instead, this energy can be redirected
toward strategic growth, innovation, and achieving goals faster.
The Consequences of Neglecting Collaboration
The lack of inter-team liaising can have serious
consequences for an organization. Goals that could be achieved in one year
might take five years instead. What’s worse, these delays often lead to burnout
among top management, as they are forced to work harder to fix issues that
could have been avoided with better collaboration. This inefficiency not only
slows down progress but also limits the company’s ability to compete
effectively in the market.
On the flip side, when an organization fosters a culture of
collaboration, the same goal can often be achieved faster and with less effort.
Teams that work together, aligned with a common purpose, create momentum that
drives the company forward. Success becomes a shared journey, not an uphill
battle.
A Unified Direction
When every individual in an organization—from the top
management to the entry-level employees—understands the company’s vision and
works together toward it, the results can be remarkable. Inter-team liaising
isn’t a secondary task or a “nice-to-have”; it’s a fundamental requirement for
growth. Building this culture requires intentional effort, but the rewards—in
terms of efficiency, productivity, and morale—are well worth it.
Ultimately, a company’s success depends on everyone pulling
in the same direction. Only then can the organization achieve its goals with
speed, efficiency, and a sense.