Team leadership: Lead great teams

Situation: A global company had struggled for more than 10 years with collaboration between R&D in Denmark and Sales globally, especially in the US. The consequences were serious:

• High performers left.
• Opportunities were lost.
• Innovation stalled.
• Frustration built on both sides.

We approached the challenge step by step:

First, we gathered insights through in-depth conversations with key stakeholders to understand the problem from both perspectives.

Second, we developed a survey based on real situations and cultural dynamics. The results were used both to design the program and as a mirror for participants to understand how they were perceived by others.

Third, insights were shared in a joint session, creating a new understanding across teams and opening up reflection on how to collaborate differently.

Fourth, we ran team workshops combining data, cultural frameworks, and practical tools. Participants worked on understanding each other and defining concrete actions.

Finally, participants were grouped into cross-team buddy groups.
Each group committed to one shared initiative and one personal behavior change. The shift was immediate and visible. Old tensions disappeared. Collaboration became natural. People started inviting each other in instead of avoiding contact.

The results:

• Faster resolution of product challenges.
• Stronger strategic decisions.
• Enhanced innovation speed and capacity.
• Significantly improved cross-cultural collaboration.