The college’s work to nurture a culture of Collaboration, Connection & Caring (3Cs) continues with new training resources and guides.
Developed from the combined expertise and insights of the Spring 2022 3Cs Learning Community and in response to requests from the 2021 and 2022 3Cs Roundtables, these guides offer support and action steps you can take to demonstrate 3Cs in your daily work at the college.
The first of these guides is called “Breaking Down Silos.” This guide provides information that can help you determine if you are siloed and steps you can take to close gaps and build relations across the college.
According to Brandi Gratis, author of How to spot and eliminate works silos before they’ve gone too far, silo mentality is an attitude that develops wherein different departments or groups within an organization do not share (whether intentional or not) information or knowledge with other individuals in the same organization. It negatively affects everything from productivity and efficiency to morale and company culture.
Many offices, departments, and divisions within ACC overlap in responsibilities. Establishing and practicing clear and consistent lines of communication can help these different areas become more effective and efficient in their work.
Below are listed practices you can take to help break down silos:
- Promote a breaking down silos mindset in your area.
- Reduce communication barriers by making sure the ACC website and directory are updated with your area’s contact information.
- Check in frequently to ensure that your area’s priorities align with College priorities.
- Identify potential opportunities for collaboration with teams working on overlapping projects.
- Avoid “groupthink” by encouraging lively, professional debate.
- Get to know your colleagues and their interests, and let those interests guide connections to outside/other teams/colleagues.
- Invite representatives from other teams to speak at your team meetings.
- Communicate “up” the need for cross-team communication and connections.
- Develop connections and build relationships with other areas.
- Seek out and participate in happenings across the College.
- Join a committee or project and report back to your area.
- Participate in collegewide professional development opportunities.
- Attend or host an open house and offer free swag and food.
For more information and resources, view the 3Cs Guides. For all information about the 3Cs work happening at ACC, visit the 3Cs informational website on the FacStaff Info Hub.