How to Prevent Cliques at Work & Foster Team Collaboration
Cliques are common in the workplace.
They form because people naturally gravitate toward familiar faces when going to new environments.
This behavior isn’t limited to work…
Whether you’re at school, joining a new social group, or spending time with familiar acquaintances, familiarity often leads to the formation of cliques.
Cliques can create a negative perception for outsiders.
When people see a tightly-knit group, it can feel intimidating and unapproachable.
Even if the group isn’t intentionally being standoffish, others will view it that way.
This perception can hinder communication, collaboration, and ultimately limit opportunities for growth.
Why You Should Avoid Cliques at Work
Cliques in the workplace can be detrimental for several reasons:
- Exclusionary Culture: When a small group dominates social interactions, it can make others feel excluded.
- Missed Opportunities: Forming cliques limits your exposure to new ideas and perspectives.
- Poor Team Dynamics: When managers or key employees form cliques, it can create an “in-group” mentality that discourages collaboration.
Managers are often contributors to workplace cliques.
This typically happens when a manager resonates strongly with a particular employee.
Over time, their frequent conversations evolve into social habits like sitting together during breaks or having lunch exclusively with each other.
While this bond may seem harmless, it can create the perception that these individuals hold more power or influence.
New employees will feel intimidated.
To avoid this, managers should consciously engage with a diverse range of team members and encourage open communication across the board.
How Employees Form Cliques
Employees form cliques for similar reasons:
- Shared experiences, job roles, or cultural backgrounds.
When facing the demands of work, it’s comforting to interact with people who understand your perspective.
While this is natural, it’s important to recognize when these bonds begin to exclude others.
Understanding that familiarity is the root cause of cliques can help you address and prevent them from forming.
Strategies to Prevent and Break Up Cliques
There are two primary approaches to addressing cliques: proactive and reactive.
The Proactive Approach
- Engage with Others: If you find yourself in a clique, make an effort to engage with people outside your immediate circle.
- Invite Others In: Encourage new team members or those outside the clique to join your group during breaks or discussions.
- Diversify Interactions: Managers should rotate their lunch partners and include a variety of employees in decision-making conversations.
The Reactive Approach
- Be Welcoming: When someone approaches your group, respond warmly instead of giving off unwelcoming vibes.
- Encourage Inclusion: If someone seems hesitant to join in, make a point to invite them and ease their transition into the group.
By adopting these approaches, you can create a more inclusive environment that fosters collaboration and prevents social silos.
The “Eyesore” Effect of Workplace Cliques
When adults form cliques in professional settings, it can be frustrating for others.
While it is understandable to form bonds with high-performing colleagues, this behavior can inadvertently limit others’ potential.
If you consistently engage with the same people, you may miss out on discovering and nurturing talent within your team.
True leaders build bridges, not walls.
By opening your social circles, you provide others with the opportunity to grow and contribute, ultimately strengthening the organization as a whole.
For more tips on social skills, be sure to check out my book, the Charisma King
– ArmaniTalks 
