Creating Collaboration

"Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, 

wonderful things can be achieved." 

~ Mattie Stephanek
Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek, known as Mattie J.T. Stepanek, was an American poet who published five best-selling books of poetry. Before his death he had become known as a peace advocate and speaker.

(1990 - 2004)

    

Collaboration is empowerment. Collaboration is not giving up something. Collaboration is a way to move forward, move ahead, and move beyond challenges with input and insight. To get to a collaborative state, to create collaboration, please remember these 10 things:

10. Think collaboration, not compromise. Instead of thinking you want to lose less than the other person/people lose, start with collaboration in mind, and in your words and actions. 

9.   Use "Yes, and" as well as "Please share more" instead of "No" or "But". These will keep the collaborative conversation going.

8.   Avoid "Why?" questions. Why questions evoke defense, while "What?" and "How?" questions create conversation. Resist "Why?" or "Why not?", and watch the what and how drive collaboration.

7.   Be sensitive to cultural differences/diversity...and yet watch your sensitivity to people and things said. Come from a place of learning, and not judging. Want to know. Ask. Ensure the purpose is known, so the answers are given, and received in the right context.

6.   Be respectful of other people's time. Learn what others prefer, when is best for them, and then stick with times and boundaries set.

5.   Be aware of tone, body language. It's not what you say, rather how you say it, right? If your attitude is such that you don't want to collaborate, check it, and move to the value of the results.

4.   Be inclusive vs. exclusive. Allow people to participate. Let people in. Include those who could add value...even if they may have opposing views. Let people skip the process if their time (see number 6) could be best served elsewhere.

3.   Be open-minded. Be approachable. Be agile. By being interested and engaged in change, it is less about a willingness, and more about a winning-nest!

2.   Be a communicator who listens to learn. Watch the act of waiting for other's mouths to shut for yours to open. Instead, hear, listen, process, and communicate through questions and responses to enhance the engagement.

1.   Treat others how they want to be treated. Abandon the "golden rule" of treating others the way you want to be treated, and make it a diamond standard to treat others the way they want to be treated - it'll be even more powerful and effective, as it will be about others versus you!

Working together in a collaborative way can be one of the most productive and worthwhile things you ever do because there is a win in the connection and a win in the results...without any need for creating another approach!