Do You Collaborate?

Most of us, by nature do not collaborate.  However, I would like to qualify this assertion.

What is the probability of a group of people collaborating with each other on a train journey?  Or on a trip?  I would say that there is a good probability for a conspicuous amount of collaboration.  However, the collaboration that we normally exhibit in such situations takes a back seat in an organization.

Why is our employment in an organization not a journey?  Why do we not think of it as one?  Answers like organizational structure and dynamics are antique.  The change in the situation from a relatively riskless (and a fixed time frame) one to an ongoing and challenging one alters our behavior and approach.

The Bhagvad Gita extols steady wisdom in the Sankhya yoga.  Collaboration stems from a determination to work together towards a goal.  The determination to work together is rooted in the ability to remain steadfast.

Here are certain strategies that may be employed in order to enhance our collaborative nature:

1)       It is suggested that one be trained in the RIGHT skills.  Collaboration would entail reasonable command over people skills and the ability to manage your own behavior.

2)      Conflict can never be personal.  Every organization or every decision making hierarchical order may have at least one certified ignoramus who may have a personal or a hidden agenda.  The ability to steer the communication away from such agendas and refocusing on the issue at hand is a prerequisite for collaborative teams.

3)      The leader must assist the members in getting to know each other so that a deep collective determination develops as a part of the work environment.  People who know each other collaborate more.  The leader must invest time in social events and other forms of networking for his team.

4)      The leader must have the vision to manage and reinterpret the rewards that the team may receive.  This is the most vulnerable moment for any team.  Promises await those teams who can successfully handle success.

5)      Communication in the team must be purposeful.  Gossip and other trivial discussions create perceptions and these perceptions may interfere with our ability to know and relate to other people in the group.

6)      Mahatma Gandhi suggested that“be the change you want to see in the world”.  The leader must demonstrate his ability to collaborate and model that behavior across situations.

Copyright © Nitesh Kotecha