Cliques are impacting team morale. How do you break the cycle and foster unity?

1 Identify Issues

To address the problem of cliques, you must first identify their presence and the issues they're causing. Pay attention to group dynamics during meetings and casual interactions. You might notice that certain employees always eat lunch together, exclude others from conversations, or work only among themselves on projects. These behaviors can lead to feelings of isolation among other team members and disrupt the flow of ideas and collaboration. By recognizing these patterns, you can take the first step towards creating a more inclusive workplace culture.

2 Open Dialogue

Once you've identified the existence of cliques, initiate an open dialogue with your team. This doesn't mean calling out individuals or groups publicly, which could exacerbate the issue. Instead, facilitate a discussion about teamwork and the importance of inclusivity in a non-confrontational way. Encourage everyone to share their thoughts on how the team can improve its dynamics. This approach not only helps to build trust but also empowers your team members to take ownership of the issue and be part of the solution.

3 Team Activities

Organizing team-building activities can be an effective way to break down barriers and encourage interaction outside of established cliques. Choose exercises that require collaboration and problem-solving, which can help team members appreciate each other's strengths and contributions. These activities should be designed to mix up cliques and give everyone an opportunity to work with different colleagues. The goal is to create shared experiences that can serve as a foundation for stronger, more inclusive relationships.

4 Redefine Goals

Redefining team goals can also help in breaking clique culture. Ensure that your team's objectives require collective effort and that success is defined by the achievements of the group as a whole, not just individual contributions. This approach can shift focus from personal alliances to shared outcomes. When the entire team is accountable for reaching a common goal, it encourages collaboration and reduces the tendency to form exclusive groups.

5 Policy Changes

Sometimes, structural changes are required to dismantle cliques. Review your company's policies and consider implementing changes that promote inclusivity. This might include rotating team leads, diversifying project groups, or setting up mentorship programs that pair employees from different cliques. By changing the formal structure within which your team operates, you can disrupt existing cliques and promote a culture where everyone has the opportunity to connect and work with different colleagues.

6 Continuous Effort

Finally, understand that fostering unity is an ongoing process. Consistently monitor team dynamics and address issues as they arise. Celebrate collective successes and recognize individual efforts that contribute to team cohesion. Maintain an open-door policy for team members to express concerns about exclusivity or other issues affecting morale. By making a continuous effort to promote inclusivity and unity, you can create a workplace where everyone feels valued and cliques are no longer a barrier to team success.