Cross-functional relationships — colleagues in other teams, divisions, functions — make daily work easier, accelerate projects when you need help, and create future opportunities for moves and collaborations. Most people invest only in same-function networking, missing significant career leverage.
Why they matter
Most interesting work is cross-functional. Most career moves benefit from cross-function knowledge. Information about company strategy and direction flows through cross-functional networks before reaching same-function ones. Future managers may not be in your current function.
How to build them deliberately
Volunteer for cross-functional projects. Have lunch with colleagues from other teams (twice monthly). Attend their team's events occasionally. Help them out without expecting return. Send useful information their way unprompted.
Invest in 5-10 strong cross-functional relationships over time. Compound effect over years is significant — both in current job effectiveness and in future career options.