Collaboration is the method by which most people get things done easily.  You see it in the Rugby Field, in Military exercises and between Parents.  Somehow over the years, we have left collaboration largely out of workplaces, and replaced that with command and control.  Thankfully, this is beginning to soften, as Managers are beginning to understand that you don’t always have to bark at people to get things done, and actually you hired your people because of their expertise, or ability to learn, so you can work more as a team. As a result you create a  team based culture.   

A collaborative team produces 10x more results and work together for the purpose of achieving bigger outcomes.

People come to work to do their best work yet often this can be stifled through micro management, unclear boundaries and outcome expectations and a lack of team spirit.  Research shows that you get greater impact when you work collaboratively.  

Benefits

The benefits of creating a collaborative culture go beyond  simply having happy people.  It invigorates an organisations ability to be flexible, solve problems, and create better solutions.  Consequently you encourage new levels of thinking, innovation, higher engagement and effectiveness.

As we head into the end of 2019, many leaders will undoubtedly be feeling under pressure to perform.  Collaboration shares the workload.  As a result you gain better balance while offering others the chance to grow.

Collaboration breeds Culture

Collaborative leadership offers a more open and honest working environment. Above all, you can power up, utilizing a  greater flow of ideas and information.  Consequently this produces more informed decision-making and problem solving, resulting in comprehensive solutions.  When everyone is heard, they are more connected to the values of the business.  This breeds a sense of family and everyone wants to do their best for their family right?

Why people enjoy collaborating

Studies show  humans will work in collaboration when they feel a sense of shared vision.  In times of crisis, we often see many people come together to create a massive solution.  Often communities can move mountains with no one leading, simply because they care.  Hence, this commitment to greatness and vision can be harnessed in business.

What people need to work collaboratively

As a leader, when you choose to bring your whole self to work and lead in the spirit of collaboration you build deeper trust and respect.   So how do you develop a collaborative team?

1. Build trust in your people
When people are not trusted, they become cynical.  Therefore they will tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to hear.

2. Be clear about purpose.
Humans are connected by purpose.  Create a vision that people connect to. They will move heaven and earth to help you get there

3. Build Diversity into your workplace
People relish the opportunity to contribute to solving problems.  Leverage  the diverse range of life skills in your workplace, regardless of the job they do.  

4. Be passionate about initiative
Initiative is not just the realm of leaders. Utilize the unique ideas and creativity in your team and maximize your problem solving capability.

5. Share information freely
Take off the “need to know” shades and involve your people with information. Informed people make better decisions. Similarly, sharing information will also build trust openness and honesty

6. Be transparent.
Remove the distance of hierarchy. Distrust is the rot that sinks into your organisation and stops it from growing. Likewise treat people like human beings and understand that everyone comes to do their best.

7. Embrace Conflict
Being open and transparent, diverse and creative leads to conflict. Furthermore, conflict is not war!
Teach your people great communication skills so you can harness the power of constructive conflict. Lead a highly collaborative team and above all, foster confidence to be open..

8. Hold people accountable
Hold yourself and others accountable for achieving outcomes. Create a culture where everyone knows they can count on each other to make things happen.

Collaboration makes a huge difference, and it gives everyone a sense of purpose.  Read this article for insight into how it has worked in practice.

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