Working Relationships: How To Manage Cliques

How do I keep cliques from damaging my group?

Marlene ChismYou know the bad things about cliques. Workplace expert and blogger Marlene Chism tells us that

  • Cliques can represent exclusion
  • Cliques contribute to jealousy
  • Cliques create a tribal mentality or blind spots

But despite the problems they can create for your fundraising, volunteer, community, school or family efforts, cliques are not all bad.

For one thing, everyone needs friends.

But there are good things, too, so think hard before you try to break them up..

What are good things about cliques:

  • People form friendships based on common values and beliefs
  • People can identify with those who are most like them
  • Sense of comfort and acceptance
  • Relationships are an important source of energy renewal

How do I get rid of the bad clique and keep the good clique?

You want your employees or volunteers or friends or kids to feel comfortable, so Marlene offers some great ideas for getting rid of the bad while keeping the good.

  • Facilitate discussion and pair people up to solve a problem
  • Teach people to expand their internal network to heighten productivity
  • Provide training to teach interpersonal skills
  • Challenge people to step out of their comfort zone one time per month
  • Make a game out of it to promote teamwork

Read the whole blog post by Marlene Chism,  Stop Workplace Drama

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