The document discusses boundary spanning leadership, which addresses the need for collaboration across various organizational boundaries, including vertical, horizontal, stakeholder, demographic, and geographic. It outlines challenges faced by leaders and presents practices such as reflecting, mobilizing, and transforming to enhance boundary spanning capabilities. The implications of these practices include improving problem-solving, fostering innovation, and effectively navigating the complexities of leadership across different groups.

1. © 2009 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.

2. © 2009 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
WHAT
is
boundary spanning leadership?

3. © 2009 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
What
is boundary
spanning
leadership?
Why
is it
needed?
So What
are the
implications?

4. © 2009 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
Based on two CCL research projects…
Leadership Across Differences
Involved over 2800 surveys & nearly 300
interviews with leaders at all levels
12 countries in 6 world regions
Corporate and nonprofit sectors
Leadership at the Peak
Conducted with 128 senior executives who
participated in CCL’s Leadership at the Peak
program
32% CEO/President
60% SVP/Director
8% VP/Other

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What are the challenges faced by leaders that need
to span boundaries?

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V E R T I C A L
across
levels &
authority
H O R I Z O N TA L
across
functions
& expertise
S TA K E H O L D E R
across
external
groups &
interests
D E M O G R A P H I C
across
diverse
groups &
differences
G E O G R A P H I C
across
markets
& distance
The 5 boundaries of
LEADERSHIP{ }

7. © 2009 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
POLL: Leadership
Across Boundaries
1. What type of boundary is your
organization at its best (in terms of
boundary spanning)?
2. What type of boundary does your
organization struggle the most (in
terms of boundary spanning)?

8. © 2009 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
WHY
is boundary spanning needed?

9. © 2009 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
How important
is it for you to
collaborate
effectively
across
boundaries?
How effective
are you?
2009 Boundary Spanning study with 128 senior executives

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2009 Boundary Spanning study with 128 senior executives
Middle management
represents a potential
bottleneck for
collaborative leadership

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HOW
can boundary spanning leadership
be practiced?

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REFLECTING
MOBILIZING TRANSFORMING
BUFFERING CONNECTING WEAVING
REFLECTING
6 boundary spanning
PRACTICES{ }

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Buffering
Define Boundaries
SAFETY
The state of psychological security that develops when
boundaries are defined and maintained
Example: Demarcate clear roles, then filter the
information, people and resources that flow across
boundaries

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Reflecting
Understand Boundaries
RESPECT
The state of intergroup awareness and positive regard that develops when
groups understand both their similarities and differences
Example: Foster perspective-taking across groups to
surface assumptions and increase knowledge exchange

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Connecting
Suspend Boundaries
TRUST
The state of mutual confidence and intergroup integrity that develops
when boundaries are suspended and new relationships built
Example: Bridge disconnected people and groups to
foster cross-organizational collaboration

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Mobilizing
Reframe Boundaries
COMMUNITY
A state of belonging, ownership, and accountability that develops
when boundaries are reframed and collective action taken
Example: Craft shared symbols, icons or stories that
represent who “we” are and galvanize common purpose
© 2010 Center for Creative Leadership. All rights reserved.

17. © 2009 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
Weaving
Interlace Boundaries
INTERDEPENDENCE
A state of mutual dependence and collective learning that
develops when boundaries are interlaced within a larger whole
Example:Tap group differences and act on
commonalities to develop innovative solutions
© 2010 Center for Creative Leadership. All rights reserved.

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Transforming
Cross-Cut Boundaries
REINVENTION
The state of renewal, alternative futures, and emergent possibilities that
develops when intergroup boundaries are cross-cut in new directions
Example: Create sustained space for group boundaries
to blend, shift, change in positively, transformative ways

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REFLECTING
MOBILIZING TRANSFORMING
BUFFERING CONNECTING WEAVING
REFLECTING
6 boundary spanning
PRACTICES{ }

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REFLECTING
COMMUNITY REINVENTION
SAFETY TRUST INTERDEPENDENCE
RESPECT
6 boundary spanning
OUTCOMES{ }

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REFLECTING
INSPIRING RESULTS{ }
Solve
problems
Develop
innovative
solutions
Change and
transform
organizations* *

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SO WHAT
are the implications?

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What are the skills that boundary spanners must
master?

24. © 2009 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
How can you improve the
delivery of Effective
Feedback across
Boundaries?
What is the role of effective
communication and feedback in
boundary spanning?