Collaborative Openings

I am wary of working in groups. They can get messy with interpersonal dramas that detract from the work getting done. I don’t need that upset.

Going It Alone

In the business world, teams are touted as the be all and end all. At the same time, many of us are individualists. We walk to our own drummer. We may have been stung working with others toward a goal. We are wary of collaboration. We come together in teams when we need to, but often working as a team takes our energy and focus away from the task at hand.

When we go it alone in an endeavor, we have a level of control over what we are doing. We do not have to consider the input of others. We experience less conflict We can bring others into what we are doing and direct them as we choose. We can reach out to others at our discretion when we need to.

Going it alone has its advantages. However, some things can only be accomplished in groups. Thus, we look to teams and study how they can be most efficient. True collaboration takes teams a step further. They give voice to each member, strive to be harmonious and each member is valued. Indigenous cultures often work on a foundation of true collaboration – forming a circle rather than a hierarchy.

The Power of Collaboration

Collaboration, when done well, brings a level of achievement not possible when working alone. Collaboration brings members to their highest level of achievement. Individual perspectives and talents are enhanced and brought together harmoniously. In collaborations, people come together and succeed at higher levels.

As in teams, leadership is central. The nature of collaborative leadership is unique. Leaders focus not on forming everyone to their version of the goal, but rather on how this group’s talents and individual attributes can create an exceptional outcome in achieving the goal. It is like an ecosystem in nature. Elements of nature come together and form a system that works uniquely according to attributes of the elements within it.

In collaboration, each person’s unique skills are highly valued. They have been chosen for the collaboration because of their skills. A collective intelligence results from truly collaborative work, that surpasses individual skills. Collaboration replaces competition. With a shared vision, collaborations provide outstanding results and enhance the performance of each of its members.