Collaborating Across Teams in Transformations Without Losing Your Cool

Transformations are like team sports—except half the players don’t know the game plan, some are playing a different sport, and a few think they’re the coach. If you’ve ever struggled with cross-team collaboration in transformation projects, you’re not alone. But before you lose your cool, here’s how to navigate the chaos and get everyone moving in the same direction.

Why Collaboration Falls Apart in Transformations

Transformation Execution Management (TXM) thrives on teamwork, but misalignment can derail even the best-laid plans. Here’s where things go wrong:

🚧 Competing Priorities – IT wants stability, the business wants speed, finance wants cost control. Who wins?

🤯 Too Many Stakeholders – The more voices in the room, the harder it is to make decisions.

🔍 Lack of Clarity – If teams don’t understand the transformation goals, expect confusion and resistance.

💬 Communication Overload (or Underload) – Too many meetings? No updates at all? Both kill collaboration.

How to Collaborate Without the Meltdown

1. Get Everyone Aligned on the ‘Why’

If teams don’t see the value of the transformation, they won’t fully commit. Start by making the big picture clear:

✔️ What’s changing and why?

✔️ How does it impact different teams?

✔️ What does success look like?

2. Speak Their Language

Finance, IT, and operations don’t always think the same way. Bridge the gap by translating transformation goals into terms each team cares about.

• IT: “This upgrade improves system stability.”

• Finance: “This reduces long-term costs.”

• Business: “This helps launch products faster.”

3. Set Clear Ownership (and Respect Boundaries)

Avoid finger-pointing by defining roles early. Use a RACI Matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) to ensure no task is left hanging—and no one oversteps.

4. Over-Communicate (But in the Right Way)

Bombarding teams with emails won’t help, but silence breeds confusion. Use:

✅ Weekly stand-ups for quick updates

✅ Collaboration tools (Slack, Teams, Miro) to track progress

✅ Decision logs to prevent endless rehashing of old topics

5. Expect Resistance (and Handle It Smartly)

People don’t resist change—they resist uncertainty. If you sense pushback:

• Acknowledge concerns (“I hear you”)

• Show small wins to build confidence

• Give teams a voice in shaping the solution

Final Thought

Cross-team collaboration doesn’t have to be painful. Clarity, communication, and a little patience can turn transformation chaos into progress. When in doubt, take a deep breath, focus on the shared goal, and keep moving forward.

Want to lead transformation teams with confidence? Learn more at TXMinstitute.org.