Breaking Out of Silos to Operate in the Matrix
We’re increasingly asked to operate in complex matrix environments but face the challenge of breaking down the silos. It takes a different approach to communication if you want to work in the matrix instead of being stuck in a silo.
The more complex our organizations get, the more dependent we are upon one another to get our work done. The challenge arises when people operate in silos in order to retain control over their domain. Silos and the matrix cannot coexist peacefully.
I recently spoke with my good friends Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos of The Leadership Podcast and discussed the challenges of breaking down silos and improving communications.
The format for this particular podcast was a little different – it was less of an interview and more of an open conversation like you’d overhear three guys having over a coffee (or, in my case, green tea on account of my heart attacks).
Give the podcast a listen while you sip your coffee this morning. I’m hopeful it will change the way you look at working in a matrixed environment and breaking down silos.
You can listen to the podcast by CLICKING HERE.
If you enjoyed that podcast, here are two more I recorded with Jan and Jim previously. Enjoy!
So there you go – a couple of great conversations with some really interesting leaders. I hope you enjoyed the perspectives! Please share them if you did and subscribe to their podcast. They’re turning out some great stuff!
– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC
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Photo: Silos by Chris Yunker
Mike – I love your blog, but as a farm girl, feel compelled to say that these are grain bins, not silos. A better understanding of grain storage helps illustrate the whole silo issue. Silos are much taller and often more narrow and are traditionally made of cement with very limited access. Newer version often are metal and bright blue from the outside. Entire corn plants are chopped up and blown up the external chute and enter at the top. The corn plants ferment and the fermented product is taken out at the bottom to feed the livestock. Grain bins hold only properly dried kernels of corn – so there is no fermentation or spoilage. Corn cribs are a much older (pre-electricity) version of grain storage – they hold entire, dried cobs of corn and typically have slatted walls to promote air circulation to help avoid spoilage.
Thanks for being a reader Joan and for the education on grain bins versus silos. See? I’m always learning and this is my one thing I learned today!