Build the team around the problem

“Cross-functional” often means fourteen people on a recurring meeting, each representing a different function and returning to a different priority queue. Episode 6 offers a different model: a small core that protects continuity around the problem, with specialists moving in and out as their knowledge becomes relevant. Berk Bayri draws on creative-technology and multidisciplinary work to explain shared vocabulary, context evaporation, temporary teams and the leadership value of high-quality access with low-frequency interference. Featuring an Ed Catmull excerpt on building environments where strong people can collaborate into something greater.

References

Yichun Peng et al., Structural Diversity Drives Disruptive Scientific Innovation (2026 preprint). The study analyzes a century-scale dataset of approximately 260 million scientific publications and reports that structural diversity — bridging distinct prior collaboration/knowledge communities — is a strong predictor of disruptive scientific innovation. This is scientific-team research, not direct evidence that one enterprise team structure is universally optimal.

University of Minnesota College of Continuing and Professional Studies, How Cross-Functional Collaboration Drives Success (2025). Used as background on cross-functional collaboration and the challenge of bridging departmental expertise.

Deloitte / NIST material from earlier episodes remains relevant background for cross-functional governance of AI and the need to connect business, technical and risk functions.