The term collaboration is frequently misused to describe virtually anything from soliciting a point of view to the socialising of ideas.As a result, much of what masquerades as collaboration yields questionable value. Below are some approaches to bolster collaborative impact.Try applying them and see your collaborative value soar.
1.Clarify the why and the how of collaboration
Link any collaborative piece of work with your overarching goals.Be clear on the purpose of your collaboration and agree the rules of engagement, the roles, responsibilities, and the deliverables.
2.Be prudent
True collaboration requires significant investment. Be prudent in using it.As Morten Hansen asserts in his book,Collaboration: How Leaders Avoid the Traps, Create Unity, and Reap Big Resultsasserts: “The goal of collaboration is not collaboration, but far better results.”The only reason to collaborate is to add or create value; to achieve things collectively that you cannot achieve individually.
3.Distinguish between collaboration and consensus
Be clear about the difference between consensus and collaboration.Seeking input doesn’t mean coming to consensus. Collaboration is about pursuing new ways of working, new ideas, and different perspectives to reach clear goals and gain better solutions.
4.Embed diversity
Collaboration works best whengroups have the complementary skill sets required to complete a collaborative task. It’s crucial to have the right people at hand to access collective intelligence and make informed decisions. Encourage multiple perspectives, diverse viewpoints and creativity.
5.Create an atmosphere of safety, trust and respect.
Build trust by displaying trustworthiness.Be consistent, credible, candid, open, vulnerable, appreciative and supportive.Those dimensions are critical to engaging in creative tension.
6.Mindsets make a difference
Keep the shared end goal front of mind.At the same time, hold in mind and empathize with the unique perspectives, pressures and issues of each stakeholder.Let go of attachments and rather than fearing differences seek to understand them.Try to observe rather than judge.
7.Hone collaboration skills
Successful collaborators have highly honed collaboration skills.They exhibit authentic presence and they deeply listen.They are curious and ask questions that build deep insight. They accurately reflect key themes and they readily acknowledging the contributions of others.These skills create the platform for high-value collaborative dialogue.
