Is your workforce strategy skills-powered?
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Brain Circuits
What to do when two tribes go to work
Tribal groups exist in every organization. Here are some simple ways to break down “them-and-us” silos, foster a more positive team culture, and make the company more productive.
Be aware of the many forms tribalism can take
Identifying with people who we perceive to be like us is hard-wired evolutionary behavior. The first step in tackling unwanted tribalism is to be aware that it comes in many forms, including age, gender, religion, and function. Developing a sense of (often subconscious) group dynamics is a good starting point.
Assume positive intent
Assuming positive intent is a powerful way to soften tribal boundaries. Few people are motivated to annoy colleagues intentionally, and cultivating a mindset of positive intent is a powerful antidote to tribalism.
Break down silos (mindfully)
Leaders can actively role-model collaboration between groups, but must be constantly mindful of the three defining characteristics of a group identified by Lisa Kwan:
- Identity of the group (e.g., sales, legal),
- Control of resources (e.g., budget, space, people),
- Legitimacy: Why does the group exist? (e.g., to generate revenue or protect the company from legal risks).
Communicate a sense of belonging across groups
We all want to belong. And leaders want to communicate a sense of belonging across different groups. What helps is to apply the multiple perspectives resulting from each group’s definition. This has proven to be a good strategy for conflict resolution and when giving uncomfortable feedback.
Deploy empathy
When working to communicate a sense of belonging across groups, another outcome of the evolutionary process comes in handy: empathy. Creating an empathic culture in the workplace begins at the top, through leaders actively modeling empathy. This is done by publicly engaging with and recognizing team members’ different perspectives, seeing the world through their eyes, and responding to their challenges with genuine empathy.
Key takeaway
Establishing a culture where everyone behaves towards others in the manner outlined here will go a long way towards breaking down tribalism and helping to build stronger, more connected teams better equipped to deliver lasting organizational success.
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