Managing staff from a department other than your own is a challenge. It is important to respect everyone's contribution to the team and communicate openly. These 5 steps will increase your effectiveness as a team leader:

• Building your project team – have a clear understanding of goals and objectives.
• Meet with those involved – find out their specific skills, what they expect to contribute, and how much time they can devote to the team.
• Set the tone – be organized, upbeat, and on topic.
• Create a schedule – maintain a written timeline for the project.
• Communicate – coach and lead, don't micromanage.