51A chief procurement officer (CPO) notices that while buyers in regional offices work well together,...

Situation Analysis:

Tension exists between regional and global buying teams during new global projects.

The CPO aims to improve trust and collaboration.

First Steps to Improve Collaboration:

Consulting HR: Valuable for long-term strategies but not immediate action.

Launching Change Management Initiative: Effective but time-consuming and may not address immediate concerns.

Holding a Team Meeting: Immediate action to build trust and showcase successful collaboration.

Addressing with Direct Reports: Targets individuals but does not address team dynamics immediately.

Best First Step:

Holding a Team Meeting: Celebrates past successes, recognizes contributions, and fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose. This can immediately boost morale and encourage collaboration.

Conclusion: A team meeting is an effective initial step to highlight successes, recognize contributions, and promote a collaborative culture.

References:

“Leading Teams: Setting the Stage for Great Performances” by J. Richard Hackman

Team building and collaboration strategies from Harvard Business Review