Which approach should be used to lead a cross-functional team on a complex operations issue?

• A. Autocratic directive
• B. Use a STAR approach: set objective, coordinate cross-functional resources, maintain clear communication, measure progress, and document outcomes.
• C. Minimal communication
• D. Isolate team members

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is leading cross-functional work with a clear, structured plan that aligns multiple teams, keeps everyone informed, and tracks results. The STAR approach fits this need well: start by setting a concrete objective so the whole group understands what success looks like and what must be achieved. Then bring together the right cross-functional resources, making sure each team knows its roles, how their pieces fit with others, and what interdependencies exist. Maintaining clear communication is essential to prevent silos—regular updates, decisions, and feedback loops keep the initiative moving and reduce surprises. Measuring progress provides objective milestones and data to guide decisions, so you can identify when you need to adapt plans or reallocate resources. Documenting outcomes creates a record of what happened, why decisions were made, and what can be learned for the future, which is invaluable for complex, interdependent operations.

This approach is preferable to options that rely on top-down control, minimal interaction, or isolating team members. An autocratic directive often wins short-term alignment but at the cost of buy-in and valuable cross-functional input, which can cause delays and missed nuances in a complex issue. Minimal communication invites confusion and drift, making it hard to synchronize efforts across departments. Isolating team members breaks collaboration and prevents the sharing of critical knowledge, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk.