Creating a Culture of Collaboration Nick Kachiroubas, Ph.D. DePaul University – School of Public...

Creating a Culture of Collaboration

Nick Kachiroubas, Ph.D.DePaul University – School of Public Service

National Catholic Development Council

Lets begin with some introductions

What is Organizational Culture?

What is Organizational Culture?

Organizational culture is the behavior of humans within an organization and the

meaning that people attach to those behaviors.

Why is Culture so Important?

Why is Culture so Important?

Organizational culture affects the way people and groups interact with each other, with

clients, and with stakeholders.

What are key factors of Culture and its creation?

What are key factors of Culture and its creation?

• Leadership• Organizational History• Mission• Vision• Values• Employees Attitudes• Common Experience• Hardships

Why create a collaborative culture?

Why create a collaborative culture?

• Inclusion• New ideas• Increased productivity• Positive Attitude• Synergy• Increased level of buy-in

How to create a collaborative culture…

Focus Areas:• Leadership• Vision / Purpose• Overall Culture / Environment• Recognition• Consistency• Communication / Accountability

Leadership

Leadership

While leadership is not the only factor impacting organizational culture, it is the most important factor.

The stone in the lake…….the ripple effect

Leadership must genuinely want collaboration in both words and actions.

Vision / Purpose

Vision / Purpose

Collaboration does not just simply occur.

Collaborative efforts need to be begun and the leader must show how the collaboration will support the organizations vision.

Collaborative efforts / Activities should be connected to a specific clear purpose.

Overall Culture / Environment

Overall Culture / Environment

• Adequate Time must be set aside for collaborative events/activities

• Teams should be encouraged to collaborate outside of the ‘Leaders prompting”

• Space needs to be available for collaborative efforts; room, round tables, whiteboards or paper, and markers

• The Concept of “Fed-Ex Days” Cross dept collaboration

Recognition

Recognition

• Celebrate successes from collaborative efforts• Highlight initiatives from non-leader arranged

efforts• Be sure to provide individual recognition to

members for specific contributions• Party, Certificates, Small $ gift cards go a long

way…

Consistency

Consistency

For collaboration to truly become an ingrained part of the organizations culture consistency is the key.

A single collaborative event or activity does not translate into a collaborative culture…it is embedded when collaboration events are occurring naturally outside the leader’s prompting.

Communication / Accountability

Communication / Accountability

Report results to team members that come from collaborative events and activities in the short term and long term

It is alright to ask for progress reports of the collaborative efforts in exchange for time provided for team members to collaborate, but remember the collaborative process takes time to be effective.

Questions?

Contact Information

Nick Kachiroubas, Ph.D.DePaul University – School of Public Servicenkachiro@depaul.edu312-362-7649