Redrawing Boundaries Can Enhance Shared Purpose in Your Team

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The factory floor is usually out of bounds to customers, andfor good reason. But by broadening that boundary to bring customers and production workers face to face, bill george instilled a new sense of purpose in that team. Paul asked bill to help him reshape the purpose blocking boundaries at una lever. Of course, what should be fluid boundaries can overtime become fixed. In extreme cases, people can be thrown into disorientation when they're changed.

When Paul Polman joined Unilever as CEO in 2009, the consumer goods company – home to 400-plus brands including Dove soap, Ben & Jerry’s, and Vaseline – had been stagnated with years of lackluster performance. His famous turnaround of the company centered around his ability to redraw the boundaries of Unilever’s mission to emphasize sustainability and long-term growth. He’s a perfect example of why every leader should consistently reexamine the boundaries that limit their business – and be prepared to redraw them as you grow. By redrawing boundaries, you can reinvigorate your team with a new sense of power. As Polman says, “You cannot change people's behaviors if you only work on the purpose – and don’t change the boundaries around it that drive people's behavior.”

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