Expertise in your field is vital to your career development, however, overspecialisation in the workplace can lead to silos.
The term originates from trenches in Europe and towers in the USA, both used to store grains separately. It has been adapted to apply to organisations where expertise is centred within teams or departments. This can be positive in ordinary times but present challenges when change is required.
In the modern workplace, insular teams can damage a firm’s resilience and capacity for co-operation. However, PwC’s 2015 Global Operations Survey, “Reimagining operations” found that three out of five companies (61 percent) say the solution to reaching their strategic goals is collaborating more across functions, paired with faster decision-making.
For the individual worker the result of overspecialisation can be a loss of motivation. A silo mentality can impact your job satisfaction and your contribution to the business as a whole. Let’s look at the benefits of developing knowledge outside your specialty…
1. Boost Collaboration & Productivity:
Understanding how other departments function reveals how your work fits into the bigger picture. This fosters cross-departmental collaboration, leading to improved workflows and a productivity boost across the company. Begin by paying attention to the company’s communications and taking an interest in new projects or planned marketing initiatives. Take full advantage of opportunities for training and development. Sign up for free courses in marketing, business analytics, or IT to demystify the workings – and the jargon – of other departments in the company. Uwimana Lowami turned to Alison when he needed to communicate with software engineers. He has taken free online courses in WordPress and ethical hacking. “What these courses are helping me is to be able to communicate with my team and understand what they need.”
2. Spark Fresh Ideas:
Image by Campaign Creators on Unsplash
Don’t assume that colleagues have a detailed understanding of your role – perhaps your current project would trigger new developments elsewhere! Or perhaps you share common processes, like time management. Learning from other departments or even sectors can spark innovative approaches to your own work. Imagine a construction project manager collaborating with a hospitality project manager – a fresh perspective can be powerful! If you can’t access that level of co-operation, why not enrol for a project management course and explore new ways of doing things.
3. Enhance Problem-Solving Skills:
Expand your knowledge by studying a subject that is unrelated to your job. This mental exercise strengthens your brain’s ability to tackle problems from alternative angles. You can also cut to the chase and take a short certificate course in problem-solving. You’ll add to your arsenal and bring new thinking to your workplace. If you feel stuck in a rut at work, the brain-training workout of new mental skills can boost your creative powers, imagination, logic and reasoning.
4. Break Out of Work Silos:
Is your team at work like this solitary grain silo? Image by Meredith Petrick on Unsplash
We easily fall into routines at work. Different departments have their own culture, strengths and weaknesses. By seeking feedback from colleagues in different departments, you gain valuable insights that could help improve your work methods. Who knows how simple suggestions like altering the order in which you perform projects to introducing automation or using AI could transform your working day and enhance your productivity?
5. Unlock Career Advancement:
A narrow skillset can limit your opportunities for promotion. Demonstrating a willingness to learn and adapt shows management you’re ready for broader responsibilities. Take Andrew De La Rosa. He was in a dead-end job and unable to progress. After learning about Alison, Andrew completed courses in Operations Management, Quality Control and Quality Assurance. Confident that he had increased his potential as a candidate, he interviewed for his current employer. He not only got the job in industrial regulatory chemistry for a footwear company, but more than doubled his earnings!
Don’t be afraid to break free from work silos! Embrace lifelong learning and explore new areas with support from Alison. Registration and enrolment is completely free and with almost 5,000 courses to choose from, you are sure to find the career development you seek. This investment in yourself will benefit not only your career but also your company’s overall success.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Isn’t some specialisation good? Won’t learning new things take away from my expertise?
Developing a strong skillset in your field is important. However, there’s a difference between specialisation and overspecialisation. By broadening your knowledge outside your immediate area, you gain a deeper understanding of the bigger picture. This can actually enhance your expertise by allowing you to see how your work connects to other parts of the company.
Imagine a graphic designer who takes a basic marketing course. They’ll gain valuable insights into how their designs are used in marketing campaigns. This knowledge can help them create more impactful visuals.
- My company doesn’t seem interested in cross-departmental collaboration. What can I do?
Even in companies with siloed structures, you can take initiative. Here are some ways to encourage collaboration:
- Start small: Propose a collaboration on a specific project with a colleague from another department.
- Focus on shared goals: When seeking collaboration, highlight how working together can benefit both your teams in achieving common objectives.
- Become a bridge: If you’ve learned about another department’s work, share your knowledge with colleagues in your own team. This can help break down communication barriers.
Remember, even small steps can make a difference. By demonstrating the value of collaboration, you can inspire others to break out of their silos too.