Silo: noun - an isolated grouping, department, etc. that functions apart from others, especially in a way that is seen as hindering communication and cooperation. (Miriam Webster)
Colleges and universities are slow-changing institutions rooted in organizational continuity. Every college has an office of the registrar, a student affairs department, and a unit dealing with academic affairs. These factors also make colleges and universities so prone to silos. It’s more than a matter of functional need, silos are the product of our industrial culture. Although we may come by our silos honestly, working across silos is more important than ever given the strong headwinds colleges and universities are facing.
Developing the skillset needed to work across silos is especially important for student success practitioners and leaders because student success solutions transcend units and organizational boundaries.
Here are the top three practices student success leaders can develop to sustain collaboration and positive change.
Generous Knowledge Sharing
Generous knowledge sharing cultivates rapport and builds trust because it shows teammates and colleagues that you are invested in helping them win too. Hoarding knowledge can feel like a power play and make you look stingy. Announcing news without forewarning others who might be affected, especially in group meetings or to more senior leaders, can feel withholding and undermining to your colleagues.
Save the surprises for the holiday grab bag or bringing treats to the office.
Take the time to do a quick culture check and consider which stakeholders might serve as allies or champions. Then, make time to connect with them one-on-one. Whether it’s spontaneous conversation about a pending data run, a friendly invitation to coffee, or a quick Zoom to share something you learned that may impact a colleague’s team at a later point, cultivate true partnership through trust building connection.
Be clear in your communication- if you are seeking to inform, let them know. If you are inviting feedback- ask for it. If you sense that the information may create a perceived hurt, ask what you can do to minimize it.
Don’t just become someone who’s always in the know. Develop a reputation for generous knowledge sharing. Almost everyone appreciates a heads up.
Intentional Data Curation
At EQUISS Accelerator, we often say that “Data never speaks for itself.” It’s a simple, even obvious, statement, but it bears repeating. Sloppy data presentations in which “raw data” is presented without context can feel like a data dump. When people are left to draw their own conclusions about sensitive or seemingly unfavorable data, they attack the information or debate the data collection method. When resistance takes hold, creating a shared understanding becomes nearly impossible.
Data always needs a careful introduction, clear context, and an even clearer interpretation.
Leaders who take the time to situate data within a clear, asset-based, solutions-focused interpretation context build the buy-in necessary to help colleagues see themselves in the solution. Questions will inevitably emerge, but minds may remain more open.
Mindful Solutions Scaling
If your organization has little experience working across silos, low levels of trust, or is new to the work of student success, START SMALL.
Surprised? We understand.
By definition the student success enterprise requires people to work in cross-functional teams which means that it forces stakeholders out of their organizational comfort zones. Student Affairs folks have to talk to faculty on a level playing field because they each have unique, and equally valuable insights into the student experience. The business services team must engage the enrollment management team in order to understand how yield will affect the bottom line. Oftentimes, cabinet leaders have the most practice participating in these conversations, but their team members who have to implement the solutions have much less practice.
Don’t fight this reality. Design for it.
Invite stakeholders to practice student success collaboration in low-stress, low-stakes areas. Focus on solutions that are light on human and financial resources. Identify problems that can be solved in relatively short amounts of time and that can yield measurable results. Carefully define success in terms of a strong process, instead of in terms of a specific outcome. Finally allow participants to share that success in team meetings and celebrate the team win.
When stakeholders see that the work of student success is doable, they are more inclined to tackle an even bigger challenge the next time because they have been part of a process that they can trust.
New challenges and new fields of practice require new solutions.
Does your team or organization need help launching or overcoming silos? The team at EQUISS Accelerator loves helping institutions discover positive and sustainable ways to collaborate and win together. Reach out today to learn how we can help your team break down silos and build success.