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In my experience, I’ve seen how innovation and effective problem solving are more easily achieved when companies actively seek interdepartmental collaboration.  They break down long-standing silos and encouraging open communication.  Microsoft Workplace Insights contributors offer these tips to accomplish this challenging task.

• Broaden your employee’s vision.  Bring diverse teams together to work on an initiative. They’ll uncover a variety of expertise and make new, valuable connections.  
• Urge employees to explore distant networks.  Encourage them to identify and learn about relevant domains outside the company or the industry. 
• Hire for curiosity and empathy.  Bring people on board who relate to and sympathize with the feelings, thoughts and attitudes of others.  

Breaking down silos unleashes hidden potential, but it takes work and a new kind of thinking.

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