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Abstract

ogether forms its foundation.</p><h2 id="ddda">The human factor matters a lot</h2><p id="25e1">How we approach collaboration plays a big part. Many of the traits that make it successful revolve around us. The initiative to fruitfully work together must come from the right mindset. There should be a genuine desire to want to work towards a good result. Although this also depends on external factors outside of each individual’s control, conscious effort from our side can help.</p><p id="fa30">Subsequently, collaborating on a personal level between team members and departments becomes effortless, as the parties involved have their interests aligned. If everyone wants to work towards a good result, then everyone will go the extra mile to assist their colleague in moving one step closer to that goal.</p><p id="b688">Hence, a sense of ownership is instilled in people’s mindset which is a crucial factor. A sense of ownership means that you don’t stop caring where your jurisdiction ends, but instead, you care about things beyond that as well. People have a feeling of empathy and understanding of each other. Thus, willingness to cooperate is boosted.</p><p id="668f">For example, when you need to convey critical information to a colleague, instead of just typing a message and pressing send, you walk up to them to discuss it in person to make sure they receive the message well. You are making sure they understand, and you address any concerns they may have.</p><h2 id="5208">Communication is the duck tape</h2><p id="822e">Once our heart is in the right place, we can make everything stick together with effective communication. When coming from a place of understanding and attempting to cooperate on a personal level, we ensure the communication is clear and transparent.</p><p id="de0e">There are no hidden messages in our discussions and no vague interpretations. The requests being exchanged are concise. As a result, there is harmony between our teams, and our colleagues know what is required from them.</p><h2 id="2f8e">Processes and frameworks act as support beams</h2><p id="7acb">Of course, for the above to be effective, good systems and processes must be in place. For example, communication channels may exist through various means such as email, messaging apps, or else. A written procedure can guide individuals in their communication efforts.</p><p id="ca0b">On another note, maintaining some form of kn

Options

owledgebase within the company is found to be a key contributor to effective collaboration as well. Either in the form of key individuals or a centralized database, people need to be able to access important information for their inquiries when needed.</p><p id="afdb">For example, people who have been in a company for a long time may possess critical information from their tenure that is not recorded somewhere. Such pieces of information can help guide future decisions.</p><h1 id="30a5">What to avoid</h1><p id="41d1">However, internal politics and how things are done in each organization can affect the above. Although many of us don’t like to admit it, they are present in every organization. They can have a significant impact on how people behave — in other words, the company’s culture.</p><p id="a31b">Ultimately, the initiative for effective collaboration must come from top leadership. If senior management does not endorse it, it will most likely not find its roots regardless of individual effort.</p><p id="c532">When met with such instances, try to avoid following suit. You may think your actions won’t have an impact, but they will. I’m not saying to rebel against your line manager to do something differently. However, being conscious of the elements that can foster effective cooperation allows you to implement them whenever there is an opportunity.</p><p id="4a01">Having tunnel vision and not seeing the whole picture can also undermine collaboration efforts. Try to act holistically and think of the consequences of your actions — both positive and negative. By doing so, you avoid dodging responsibility and simply acting as a messenger.</p><p id="eb7d">In terms of communication, keeping it all digital such as only in emails or messaging apps reduces social interaction. Social interaction can unearth information that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. At the same time, just sending messages through an app makes it impersonal and can carry a lot of vagueness.</p><h1 id="da7e">Final thoughts</h1><p id="17a5">Albeit challenging, putting in the effort to have fruitful collaboration between your colleagues and teams is worth it. It may seem hard in the beginning to shift your mindset, but once you do, you will start realizing its benefits.</p><p id="53aa">Like Warren Buffet said:</p><p id="fa89" type="7">“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”</p></article></body>

Building Bridges: The Key Elements of Effective Collaboration

What it takes to foster genuine cooperation

Watching professional sports teams play can teach you a lot about teamwork and the spirit of collaboration. Take for example the 90s Chicago Bulls. 6 NBA World Championship titles and my favorite quote from the one and only:

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” — Michael Jordan

Regardless of their launch into stardom, it’s evident for them that effective collaboration is the differentiator between ‘ok’ results and greatness. In the long run, what will matter most is the team effort put into reaching one strategic goal. Short-term victories do not guarantee long-term success.

A brief look at history will show you that our greatest achievements were made by a group of people coming together and working towards a common goal.

The same logic is applied when it comes to collaborating within our organizations.

Achieving effective collaboration

Looking back throughout the countless projects I’ve handled, the greatest results derived from genuine collaboration. Particularly in large projects involving multiple departments, a key driving factor was the noticeable team effort.

On the other hand, when results did not meet the expectations, the lack of sufficient cooperation was apparent. Almost as if people were working in siloes pursuing individual targets in isolation.

Through the projects I managed, I noticed a pattern of behaviors and characteristics in situations where collaboration was successful. And they more or less revolve around 3 broad categories:

The human factor
Communication
Processes and frameworks

They are the 3 pillars of effective collaboration. Putting them together forms its foundation.

The human factor matters a lot

How we approach collaboration plays a big part. Many of the traits that make it successful revolve around us. The initiative to fruitfully work together must come from the right mindset. There should be a genuine desire to want to work towards a good result. Although this also depends on external factors outside of each individual’s control, conscious effort from our side can help.

Subsequently, collaborating on a personal level between team members and departments becomes effortless, as the parties involved have their interests aligned. If everyone wants to work towards a good result, then everyone will go the extra mile to assist their colleague in moving one step closer to that goal.

Hence, a sense of ownership is instilled in people’s mindset which is a crucial factor. A sense of ownership means that you don’t stop caring where your jurisdiction ends, but instead, you care about things beyond that as well. People have a feeling of empathy and understanding of each other. Thus, willingness to cooperate is boosted.

For example, when you need to convey critical information to a colleague, instead of just typing a message and pressing send, you walk up to them to discuss it in person to make sure they receive the message well. You are making sure they understand, and you address any concerns they may have.

Communication is the duck tape

Once our heart is in the right place, we can make everything stick together with effective communication. When coming from a place of understanding and attempting to cooperate on a personal level, we ensure the communication is clear and transparent.

There are no hidden messages in our discussions and no vague interpretations. The requests being exchanged are concise. As a result, there is harmony between our teams, and our colleagues know what is required from them.

Processes and frameworks act as support beams

Of course, for the above to be effective, good systems and processes must be in place. For example, communication channels may exist through various means such as email, messaging apps, or else. A written procedure can guide individuals in their communication efforts.

On another note, maintaining some form of knowledgebase within the company is found to be a key contributor to effective collaboration as well. Either in the form of key individuals or a centralized database, people need to be able to access important information for their inquiries when needed.

For example, people who have been in a company for a long time may possess critical information from their tenure that is not recorded somewhere. Such pieces of information can help guide future decisions.

What to avoid

However, internal politics and how things are done in each organization can affect the above. Although many of us don’t like to admit it, they are present in every organization. They can have a significant impact on how people behave — in other words, the company’s culture.

Ultimately, the initiative for effective collaboration must come from top leadership. If senior management does not endorse it, it will most likely not find its roots regardless of individual effort.

When met with such instances, try to avoid following suit. You may think your actions won’t have an impact, but they will. I’m not saying to rebel against your line manager to do something differently. However, being conscious of the elements that can foster effective cooperation allows you to implement them whenever there is an opportunity.

Having tunnel vision and not seeing the whole picture can also undermine collaboration efforts. Try to act holistically and think of the consequences of your actions — both positive and negative. By doing so, you avoid dodging responsibility and simply acting as a messenger.

In terms of communication, keeping it all digital such as only in emails or messaging apps reduces social interaction. Social interaction can unearth information that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. At the same time, just sending messages through an app makes it impersonal and can carry a lot of vagueness.

Final thoughts

Albeit challenging, putting in the effort to have fruitful collaboration between your colleagues and teams is worth it. It may seem hard in the beginning to shift your mindset, but once you do, you will start realizing its benefits.

Like Warren Buffet said:

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”