Jaded
My employees are very knowledgable in Financial Aid, however they fell disrespected by other departments.
How do I reconfirm their worth and re-establish a healthy work environment?
This situation can, and does, happen in any business. It is very important to bring different departments together to discuss how they can work together for the common goal. An understanding of how each department functions is a must. Without the financial aid department, there would be fewer students enrolled and consequently fewer instructors needed, etc.
To manage conflict is to maintain control. Manging conflict does not necesarily eliminate but gives you a opportuntity to respond rather than react.
Focus on the cause of the problem, get the consensus from the group and consistency of the occurence.
1. Build morale -- sponsor a team outting
2. Encourage productive and innovative suggestions and feedback,
3. Set clear goals and objectives.
Hope this helps
Jasmin
Our campus regurally holds "all staff" meetings to keep everyone in the loop. Additionally, I try to get many things done with phone calls or trips to other departments. It takes no more time than e-mailing, and often gets a better response!
Thanks, Timothy.
Conflict between departments is not all that uncommon in career colleges, or in any busines for that matter. What are some things that the faculty members at your campus do to facilitate better communication with other departments?
I think the key component to any institution is communication. At the end of the day, we are all working for the students best interest, but can be so focused on the mission of our departments, that we can get frustrated by the missions of others.
Communication is key, and often times that means in person....not in an easily misinterpreded e-mail.
Thanks, Robert.
In my experience, getting departments to work together on something is the best way to build understanding and rapport. It can be as simple as planning a meeting or student activity.
This is true with any department. In another module we had spoken about communication. This is a big part of any work force or personnal life situations as well. I have found that by keeping a good communication line open the other departments know what is going on with your department and like wise you will know what they are going through.
this does not have to be with everyone, it can be at director level. If it is directors meeting, they should mention to their team members about situations going on with other departments so that there is not misunderstandings going on and bad feelings build up.
jon,
This condition is not all that unusual. Sometimes it seems like various departments at a career college have conflicting goals. Faculty members become upset when students are pulled out of class by other departments. Financial Aid sometimes feels frustrated when the students are not sent to them.
One thing that worked for me as a Dean was to regularly let my Director of Finance talk to my teachers about F.A. issues. Once they really understood what F.A. was trying to do, and the regulations behind their actions, they tended to be much more flexible and appreciative.
My Director of Finance encouraged her team to keep academics informed when they heard about student issues. They also got involved by sitting in on a few classes and through working in small groups with faculty members to target specific at-risk students. The communication and teamwork tended to draw the departments closer.
Remember to remind everyone that without a strong F.A. team, we would have very few students to teach. No department can really be successful without the support of the other departments.
