All of us experience professional intimidation during the course of our careers. And, some of us continuously experience this type of workplace intimidation. Why is that?
Ultimately, Yesterday’s business models tend to reinforce departmental silos and Us versus Them mindset. Often, these old school business models allow the folks with the most degrees, education and professional acronyms after their job titles to remain elitist, instead of inclusive. In addition, this behavior encourages “everyone else” to stick with their own kind rather than reaching out across the organization.
Why continue to do work apart, instead of together?
Today, discover what my Workshop and Keynotes on Professional Development, Human Capital Strategy and Building Trust through Storytelling accomplish for your workforce and leadership teams.
Otherwise, knowledge workers continue to avoid manual workers. Then, operations professionals never think about enjoying a cup of coffee with that line of business colleague.
In addition, administrators, customer service professionals and loading dock people remain “in their places.” As a result, they do not identify whom to share their wealth of competitive knowledge with. After all, they see and hear everything. Think about what is missed. Who knew, right? Well, they know, for sure.
Any way we look at it, within an organizational culture characterized by professional intimidation, cross-functional collaboration suffers.
According to the Deloitte 2018 Human Capital Trends study (opt-in required), Yesterday’s organizations will become noncompetitive. The workforce is changing and business models must be recalibrated for that change. As a result, Today’s and Tomorrow’s organizational cultures favor poking holes in corporate silos and working not only cross-functionally, but also holistically.
Instead of professional intimidation and Us versus Them mindset, consider deconstructing departmental silos and exclusive professional mindset. Build a stronger value stream, in the process.
Yes, this is a big idea! However, it just may start by asking that colleague in “that” other department to meet for coffee. Or perhaps, talking to the departmental administrator or the logistics manager. The results of these conversations can be revelatory and impactful!
Start moving one millimeter forward, beyond professional intimidation and Us versus Them mindset, today.
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Babette Ten Haken, Founder & President of One Millimeter Mindset™ serves organizations as a corporate catalyst and innovative speaker, strategist, coach and storyteller. Babette’s One Millimeter Mindset™ Workshops and Speaking programs leverage collaboration to catalyze professional innovation, workforce engagement and customer retention, especially in challenging Industrial Internet of Things environments. Babette’s playbook of IIoT team collaboration hacks, Do YOU Mean Business? is available on Amazon. She is a member of SME, ASQ, SHRM and the National Speakers Association.
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