Some years ago (1992) I was Producing a show featuring Archie Norman he had been a very successful Director of Kingfisher and had just jumped ship to become Chief Exec of Asda which was a business in dire straits facing bankruptcy.
He identified the tribalism I have mentioned. Realising that it would take time to change the mind-set of the staff he set about forcing them together, by taking down office partitions and dressing-down the Execs.
An interesting idea, to begin with it caused resentment but after a few months people started making working and social relationships with staff from 'other' departments. There was a slow realisation that they were all in this together. They also discovered how the different parts of the company worked.
They also benefited from a strong boss. When I met Archie he was full of enthusiasm truly inspirational. At Asda he had an office but much preferred to be part of the team acknowledging the staff who worked for him.
It still takes a brave boss to do what Archie did but the results were impressive he turned Asda's fortunes around.
