The best ideas win.

Bring the focus back to the ideas that get lost or ignored.

The best solutions are rarely found sitting alone at your desk; they happen when you combine different perspectives.

When you’re tackling a tough problem, make it a point to reach out to a colleague in a completely different department. If you’re working on a project for marketing, ask someone in tech for their take. A cross-team approach ensures your solution is well-rounded and keeps you from accidentally missing a detail that only someone in another role would notice.

Being inclusive builds your big picture thinking. As you move up, your success may depend on your ability to unite different departments and make sure every voice is heard.

The cross-team approach also means to be an active ally during meetings. If you notice a good idea was shared but ignored, or if a teammate is being talked over, use your voice to bring the focus back to them. Simply saying, “I really liked the point Sarah made earlier; can we talk more about that?” helps create a culture where the best ideas win. This type of collaborative leadership builds deep trust.

Put these approaches into practice.

Let’s look at practical ways to seek out diverse perspectives before finalizing a solution.