Under the direction of the governor, the directors of departments shall devise a practical and working basis for co-operation and co-ordination of work and for the elimination of duplication and overlapping functions. They shall co-operate with each other in the employment of services and the use of quarters and equipment. The director of any department may empower or require an employee of another department, subject to the consent of the superior officer of the employee, to perform any duty which he might require of his own subordinates.