Managers and other business leaders are always looking for that secret ingredient. That special thing will change the way their teams work by making them happier, more inspired, more creative, and more productive. More than anything, leaders want their employees to be invested in and knowledgeable about the company they work for.
There are many, many things that business leaders can try out and incorporate into a workflow in an attempt to stimulate productivity in their employees. However, one that is often forgotten and brushed aside is the value of company interconnectedness. The power of understanding peers in other departments should not be underestimated.
Too often, workforces are segregated into groups of specialists handling specific tasks. There is the marketing team on the third floor, the sales team across the hall, and the production folks in the cubicle farm. In other cases maybe it’s the scientists on the first floor and the policy wonks on the second. Regardless, although this separation can help with focus, it can often lead to a disconnectedness in the company that hinders more than it helps.
Real Benefits of Interdepartmental Communication
Communication between departments has numerous benefits, particularly for new employees building a relationship with the company. Taking the time to ensure new employees understand the foundation on which the company is built is vital to long-term success. A firm grasp of how the sales team feeds off the success of the production line or the policy makers understanding the science they are building off of can make a huge difference in company knowledge and how different factions come together to make the whole thing successful.
Understanding the work that a coworker from a different department is doing can play into creative thinking. If both groups are working to solve a similar problem, why not collaborate early to avoid confusion later? Likewise, a firm baseline of the difficulties other departments face and the rules they have to play by can help build trust and communication, which ultimately makes the company a more collaborative, efficient, and united front.
In one example, scientists found that when barriers to communication were lowered for doctors and healthcare specialists, they were able to come to common understandings about patient treatment more quickly. Not only that, but this interdepartmental collaboration played a massive role in reducing medical errors, lowering healthcare bills for patients, and improving patient satisfaction with their healthcare experience.
Collaboration Helps Everyone
Multiple studies indicate that great company support and communication can go a long way toward building a happy and productive workforce. Far too often, employees feel stressed out and overburdened with work. In many scenarios, they feel as though they don’t have anyone that truly understands their job or the specific stresses it brings.
Greater interdepartmental collaboration and understanding can help alleviate some of this. A greater understanding of the workloads that people are under can help build empathy in other departments. Improved communication is a big factor in setting realistic timelines, understanding expectations, and developing a more comfortable work environment where issues can be easily communicated.
As generational change starts to take place in the workforce, this concept is more important than ever. Research shows that the up-and-coming Gen Z feels strongly about interconnected and communicative office spaces. They are invested in working for companies that value their mental health above profits. Facilitating office connections is a great way to show the company cares.
Maintaining Connectedness
Having one or two company events is a great way to start the conversations and spur interdepartmental communication. But it has to go farther from there. Lasting relationships and understanding don’t sprout from one or two company-sponsored interactions a year.
Instead, companies should focus on creating a culture of curiosity and personal development. Where feasible, employees should be encouraged to take the time to learn about what other people in different departments are doing. This could mean a lot of different things from attending monthly workshops or briefings on what other departments are working on to actually job shadowing a different department for a week or so.
Ultimately, the experience can help employees feel more connected to the company they work for and more prepared to explain the whole company’s objectives. It can boost trust and reduce confusion related to the work and timelines that other departments take on. Likewise, it can foster relationships that not only help the business boost creativity and productivity but also benefit the mental health of employees under a lot of stress.
Breaking down barriers between different departments isn’t easy and it certainly doesn’t happen overnight. However, it can be a real means of facilitating lasting benefits for everyone involved. Company events can be a great starting point, but it’s essential to create a change in culture where this interconnectedness is highly valued.