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THIS Leader Podcast   

68. Collaborating Effectively, Managing-Up, and Breaking Down Silos
  

May 26, 2026

“Hey, can you take this on?”

It’s a simple question that we hear from colleagues all the time. But when the request lands, your brain starts doing the math:

  • “Do I actually have the capacity for this?” 
  • “Will I look unhelpful if I say no?”

In this episode, I share a simple framework for navigating these moments with more clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Join me to explore what it really means to collaborate well across teams, provide great internal service, and “manage up” before saying yes until you’ve actually considered the cost.

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Unless you have a very unique and extremely independent role, you know what it feels like to receive requests for input, output, and help in general that lie outside of your immediate responsibilities, coming from people outside of your immediate team. 

And when those come in, it can sometimes feel like a gut-punch… “Oh my goodness, one more thing to do?!” 

But what if those requests stopped feeling like landmines and started feeling much more manageable?

In this episode, Claire explores the daily push and pull of mid-level leadership. Specifically, those moments when you are called upon for cross-functional support and you just don’t know quite how to respond. 

Mock up of podcast episode on phone with air pods Episode #68 "Collaborating Effectively, Managing-Up, and Breaking Down Silos" with Podcast cover art
THIS Leader Podcast
68. Collaborating Effectively, Managing-Up, and Breaking Down Silos
20:29
 

"Saying 'Here's what I can do and by when' is not a no. It is a professional commitment. It is exactly what trusted colleagues do."

68: Collaborating Effectively, Managing-Up, and Breaking Down Silos

Much of our leadership stress doesn’t come from big crises. It comes from the constant stream of “quick asks,” shifting priorities, vague expectations, and the pressure to keep everyone happy without dropping the ball yourself.

In this episode, Claire shares a simple framework to help you respond to those requests and to the people above you with confidence, clarity, and a lot less stress. Instead of reacting habitually or making decisions under pressure, you’ll learn how to pause, assess, and respond in a way that protects both your relationships and your priorities. 

In this episode, you'll hear about:

  • The hidden cost of silos: The invisible rework, duplicated effort, and decisions made in a vacuum that quietly drain organizations of precious time, even when the work is technically “getting done.”
  • The real problem with cross-functional requests: It's not that you're too busy or that colleagues are unreasonable. It's ambiguity, i.e., not knowing the ask, the urgency, or your role.
  • The ACE Framework: Three steps to ground every response- Assess the ask, Clarify your role, and Engage your stakeholders.
  • How to provide great internal customer service by saying, "Here's what I can do. Here's by when. Here's what I need from you."
  • The proactive prioritization / managing-up conversation: Four questions, ten minutes, once a month to build clarity before the chaos.

Why we don't use the tools even when we have them: Three internal barriers and how to move past each.

 

Resources Mentioned:

Join the Conversation: Navigating a tricky cross-functional request right now? I'd love to hear how you're handling it—reach out on social or through my website.

Subscribe & Share: If this episode helped you, share it with a colleague who's in the middle of that push and pull. The more openly we talk about this, the better our organizations get. 

To learn more about my services, subscribe to my newsletter, and for additional tools to enhance your leadership impact, visit ClaireLaughlin.com and connect with me on social channels @Claire Laughlin Consulting.

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! New episodes are released weekly, so be sure to subscribe.

Until next time, lead the way!

 

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About your Host

Claire Laughlin, MA, Organizational Development Consultant

Hi! I'm Claire Laughlin, and I love helping leaders like you create workplaces where people truly thrive.

For over two decades, I've been rolling up my sleeves alongside teams and organizations, using hands-on methods that actually work (because let's face it - theory only gets you so far!). 

I specialize in teaching leaders how to engage their teams, helping managers become more effective facilitators, and showing people how to work better together.

I'm also a master facilitator for the Six Types of Working Genius® - a fantastic tool that helps you understand and leverage your natural talents.

When I'm not helping leaders like you build happy, high-energy workplaces, I'm enjoying a hike in the forest with my dog Fiona, spending time with my family or curled up with a great book.

Photo of Claire Laughlin looking at her dog

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Let's keep the party going!

We have tons of great episodes waiting for you! Check them out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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“I’ll figure it out later."

Little by little, urgency starts leading your life for you.

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