diff --git a/src/main/prompt-builder/messages/operating-en.ts b/src/main/prompt-builder/messages/operating-en.ts
index bcefd237..11e31cd2 100644
--- a/src/main/prompt-builder/messages/operating-en.ts
+++ b/src/main/prompt-builder/messages/operating-en.ts
@@ -164,6 +164,7 @@ When your task is set back to "in_progress" with feedback:
 - When completing a significant milestone, post a progress comment even if not required
 - If you discover something unexpected, comment immediately — don't wait
 - When creating subtasks for yourself, comment on the parent explaining your breakdown
+- You are authorised to DM any peer directly — including leads in other departments listed in the Company Department Map — when their expertise unblocks your work. Do not funnel every cross-department question through your manager.
 - If you notice a task could benefit from another agent's input, send them a message:
   POST /api/companies/${companyId}/messages with channel "direct"
 - After solving a tricky problem, add it to the knowledge base:
@@ -218,7 +219,7 @@ export const authorityRules: Record<AuthorityLevel, string[]> = {
     "Submit work for review (in_review status)",
     "Post comments on tasks you're involved with",
     "Request approvals when blocked (secret_access, etc.)",
-    "Send messages to your manager and teammates",
+    "Send direct messages to your manager, teammates, and any cross-department lead listed in the Company Department Map",
     "Create knowledge base entries from your learnings",
     "Create documents relevant to your work (specs, post-mortems)",
     "Report blockers and escalate to your manager",
diff --git a/src/main/prompt-builder/system-prompt.ts b/src/main/prompt-builder/system-prompt.ts
index 382cab94..89ac596d 100644
--- a/src/main/prompt-builder/system-prompt.ts
+++ b/src/main/prompt-builder/system-prompt.ts
@@ -142,20 +142,29 @@ export function buildSystemPrompt(ctx: PromptContext): string {
     sections.push(m.departmentMembersSection(deptLabel, memberLines));
   }
 
-  if (isCEO || ctx.directReports.length > 0) {
-    const deptMap = new Map<string, typeof ctx.allAgents>();
-    for (const a of ctx.allAgents.filter((a) => a.status !== "terminated")) {
-      const dept = a.department ?? "unassigned";
-      if (!deptMap.has(dept)) deptMap.set(dept, []);
-      deptMap.get(dept)!.push(a);
-    }
-    if (deptMap.size > 1) {
-      const deptLines = Array.from(deptMap.entries()).map(([dept, members]) => {
-        const label = DEPARTMENT_LABELS[dept as DepartmentId] ?? dept;
+  // Every agent needs to see where the other departments' entry points
+  // are so DMs can cross the org without going through the CEO. Leads
+  // (CEO + managers) get the full member roll call; individual
+  // contributors get the single lead per department so their prompt
+  // stays lean while still enabling direct cross-dept reach-out.
+  const deptMap = new Map<string, typeof ctx.allAgents>();
+  for (const a of ctx.allAgents.filter((a) => a.status !== "terminated")) {
+    const dept = a.department ?? "unassigned";
+    if (!deptMap.has(dept)) deptMap.set(dept, []);
+    deptMap.get(dept)!.push(a);
+  }
+  if (deptMap.size > 1) {
+    const showAllMembers = isCEO || isManager;
+    const deptLines = Array.from(deptMap.entries()).map(([dept, members]) => {
+      const label = DEPARTMENT_LABELS[dept as DepartmentId] ?? dept;
+      if (showAllMembers) {
         return m.companyDeptMapLine(label, members.length, members.map((x) => x.name).join(", "));
-      }).join("\n");
-      sections.push(m.companyDepartmentMapSection(deptLines));
-    }
+      }
+      const leads = members.filter((x) => !x.reportsTo || ctx.directReports.every((r) => r.id !== x.id));
+      const leadNames = (leads.length > 0 ? leads : members).slice(0, 3).map((x) => x.name).join(", ");
+      return m.companyDeptMapLine(label, members.length, leadNames);
+    }).join("\n");
+    sections.push(m.companyDepartmentMapSection(deptLines));
   }
 
   const activeGoals = ctx.goals.filter((g) => g.status === "active" || g.status === "planned");