Response to Jessica’s Leadership Journey
Thank you, Jessica, for sharing your journey with us. Interdepartmental conflict is indeed a major issue faced by organizations. In my opinion, it arises due to the leaders of departments not being able to realize how they fit in the bigger picture because of which the main focus becomes the growth of their unit. It may cause the communication gap leading to conflicts. According to Ruekert and Walker(1987), the organization’s structural variables play an important role in guiding the interactions between the two departments (p.235). Firstly, it helps in reducing the possibility of conflict occurrence and secondly, structures can be formed to resolve conflicts that still arise.
“The most successful companies are consistent and persistent in monitoring and reinforcing their strategic actions” (Lepsinger, 2010, p. 150). According to me, a management body monitoring and regulating the actions of each department may prove to be beneficial in understanding and pinpointing the subjects of discord between the two units. It will also help in taking necessary actions required in the initial stages to halt the progression of conflicts.
References
Lepsinger, R. (2010). Closing the execution gap: How great leaders and their companies get results. Jossey Bass.
Ruekert, R.W., & Walker, O.C., (1987) Interactions between Marketing and R&D departments in implementing different business strategies retrieved from