EP191: How Leaders Break Down Silos (Part 2): The Blueprint for Better Communication & Connection
READY TO BUILD WORKPLACE CONNECTION?
Here is the blueprint.
Enjoy!
Listen Here:
(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
This post builds on last week’s conversation about silos in the workplace. If you missed it, I recommend checking that out first. I shared what silos are, why they form, and what happens if we leave them unchecked.
In this post, let’s focus on what we do next. How do leaders actually break down silos and build bridges?
The Blueprint for Building Bridges
I’ve created a simple but powerful blueprint for building bridges in the workplace. It has four essential components:
Vision
Awareness
Adaptation
Activation
What holds all of these together is curiosity and compassion, grounded in an ownership mindset - focusing on what you can control in how you show up, listen, and lead.
Vision: Knowing What’s on the Other Side
Before we can build a bridge, we have to want connection. Vision means being clear about why you’re reaching out, what’s on the other side, and how connection benefits both you and others.
Ask yourself:
Do I actually want to connect?
What does the other side look like?
What’s in it for them?
How will I know the bridge is successful?
Awareness: The Magic Pixie Dust
Connection starts with self-awareness. That means noticing the mindset and character you bring into every interaction. Our inner narratives - assumptions, judgments, limiting beliefs - often get in the way of connection.
Awareness helps us notice these patterns and choose a different response. Viktor Frankl reminds us: “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”
Awareness also extends outward. It’s about understanding others—their pressures, communication styles, and context—so you can truly meet people where they are.
Adaptation: Communication Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Awareness is half the bridge; adaptation is the other half. This means adjusting your style to connect with people who are wired differently.
Insights Discovery highlights four basic communication styles: Cool Blue, Fiery Red, Sunshine Yellow, and Earth Green. None is right or wrong - just different. Adapting helps us avoid disconnection and assumptions and instead builds bridges across styles.
Activation: Turning Intention into Action
Finally, activation is about doing the work. Bridges don’t build themselves. Activation can look like:
Asking thoughtful questions
Sharing your “why” and seeking theirs
Co-creating solutions
Building trust outside your usual circles
Pausing before reacting, choosing curiosity over judgment
As Brené Brown says, “Clear is kind.” Clarity, inclusion, and visibility are all part of bridge building.
A Call to Action
Breaking down silos requires intention, flexibility, and patience. It’s easier to stay in our lane, but what are we missing when we do?
Think about one bridge you can intentionally build at work. It doesn’t have to be big - just intentional. And remember Walt Disney’s words: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”
What Do You Think?
What is your next step toward connection?
Links
Please leave a review in Apple Podcasts + share with a friend
It will help others find the podcast - the more leaders we can impact - the better our workplaces and lives will be!
Schedule a FREE Discovery Call
Click here to schedule some time - let’s talk about how we can work together through one-on-one coaching, Insights Discovery workshops or other leadership development work!