How to work across boundaries in collaboration

Super collaborators connect across teams, departments and sectors to help build the connections that help us work together more effectively. This work is known as boundary spanning.

Boundary spanning public servants:

• connect people
• build trust
• help teams navigate different cultures, systems or priorities
• help teams work toward common goals.

This role can be played by individuals, teams, or through shared practices across projects.

Building boundary spanning efforts

Boundary spanning benefits teams. Practices include a mix of skills that help teams navigate collaborative efforts.

You can become a boundary spanner by taking steps to:

• Build strong relationships. Connect with public sector professionals in different teams and agencies to understand their work through informal networking.
• Communicate clearly. Help others understand each other’s goals and constraints.
• Develop active listening skills. Focus on understanding different perspectives and finding common ground.
• Resolve conflict. Manage tensions and help teams find common ground.
• Encourage collaboration. Identify shared goals and look for ways to align efforts.
• Think strategically. See the bigger picture and help others align their work.
• Learn about systems and structures. Understand how different policies, teams, and agencies connect.
• Embrace experimentation. Support new ways of thinking and working across boundaries.
• Be adaptable. Stay open to new approaches and be willing to adjust plans as needed.

Learn more about boundary spanning.

Supporting boundary spanning in your organisation

Boundary spanning can be difficult. People doing this work often face the following:

• Organisational silos. Rigid structures that limit cross-agency coordination.
• Time and resource constraints. Limited time to build relationships or coordinate across teams.
• Unclear authority. Uncertainty around who can make decisions across boundaries.
• Competing priorities. Different timelines, goals or incentives between agencies.

Leaders and teams can create an environment that supports boundary spanning by:

• encouraging cross-agency collaboration and networking opportunities
• recognising and rewarding staff who demonstrate boundary-spanning behaviours
• providing training in communication, negotiation, and systems thinking
• reducing organisational barriers that make collaboration difficult.

Bringing boundary spanning into your team

Boundary spanning behaviours help support collaboration skills and can apply at all levels, from front-line roles to executive leadership. In cross-agency initiatives, ensure your team includes people who:

• are trusted connectors across teams or agencies
• are curious about how systems and structures interact
• can navigate ambiguity and change
• create space for diverse perspectives.

These behaviours help create the early connections needed for good collaboration, especially when building networks that could grow into stronger partnerships. By developing these abilities and supporting boundary spanning work, we can improve collaboration across the Queensland public sector.