Laurie Robinson Haden | Fall 2025
In fast-paced legal and corporate environments, decisiveness is often rewarded. But in today’s cross-functional, matrixed organizations, success is less about having the final say—and more about building consensus. True leadership is demonstrated not by rigid control but by the ability to align diverse stakeholders around a common objective.
Collaboration is frequently misunderstood as compromise. But in reality, collaboration is a high-level strategy that drives adoption, trust, and results. No matter how airtight your legal strategy may be, without cross-functional support, your project is likely to stall—or worse, fail quietly due to lack of buy-in.
Here are 10 practical ways to elevate your collaborative leadership—without sacrificing authority or clarity:
- Avoid This Pitfall: My Way or the Highway
The “my way or the highway” mindset might sound like: “This is how Legal is doing it. We don’t need input from other departments.”In one case, a general counsel pushed through a new contract approval process without engaging Procurement. The result? Delays in vendor onboarding, resistance from Finance, and poor adoption across business units. What could’ve been completed in weeks dragged on for months, all because the key stakeholders responsible for execution weren’t part of the process.
- Begin with Alignment, Not Demands
Set the tone early by inviting collaboration. Say, “We’re shaping the approach and would value your insights.”For example, when launching a compliance rollout, involve Operations, HR, and IT from the outset. Co-creation drives engagement.
- Clarify the Shared Objective
Anchor discussions in common goals. Try: “We’re all committed to minimizing risk—let’s find a way to get there together.”This reframes the conversation and helps reduce territorial resistance.
- Be Transparent About Constraints
Honesty builds trust. “We’re working with a tight 30-day timeline. What’s the most efficient way to get your input?”Transparency allows others to partner within realistic parameters.
- Translate Legal into Business Language
Legal speak can create distance. Say, “This clause protects the company’s revenue if a vendor underdelivers,”rather than using technical indemnification language. When people understand the why, they’re more likely to support the how.
- Offer Flexible Pathways
Presenting options invites cooperation. “We can either revise this clause or include a side letter—what aligns best with your goals?”Empowering choice fosters engagement.
- Give Credit Publicly and Privately
Acknowledge contributors across departments. “Thanks to input from Finance, we refined this approach to meet audit requirements better.”Recognition strengthens relationships.
- Resolve Disagreement with Empathy, Not Ego
Lead with curiosity, not control. “Can you walk me through your concerns?”When IT pushed back on a new data policy, a GC’s willingness to listen revealed a system constraint Legal hadn’t considered—preventing a rollout failure.
- Follow Through Promptly
Collaboration without execution breeds frustration. If you commit to an update or next step—do it. Reliability is the foundation of trust.
- Know When to Flex and When to Hold
Collaboration doesn’t mean conceding risk. Stand firm on legal essentials, but be open to how you get there. Clear reasoning ensures alignment, even in moments of disagreement.
In conclusion, collaboration isn’t a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. In today’s interconnected organizations, influence is earned through engagement, not mandate. Set aside the “my way or the highway” mindset. Invite input. Build bridges. And lead initiatives that not only launch—but land successfully across the enterprise.
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