What Is The Post-Pandemic Super Skill?

This skill changes everything!

Collaboration has become the competitive advantage that is nudging certain companies ahead in our new post-pandemic world.

This has been a trend we have seen developing before the last two years. The pandemic accelerated this needed skill.

When challenges are more significant than we can solve on our own, we must turn to collaboration.

The pandemic was just such a crisis. Others are on the horizon as well, and we will use teamwork to create our new world. Developing these skills will be our key to success.

Lesson to Learn

To find solutions to our most complex challenges, we must work with others effectively.

A set of skills and attitudes facilitate collaboration. Essential skills include listening, question asking, and creative win-win solution-seeking.

As a leader, we need to demonstrate these skills and encourage others to use them frequently. We will need to create a culture that is different as well.

Our attitudes must reflect empathy for others, a desire to seek diverse views, and a culture of kindness and concern. We will need to embrace these attitudes to have a collaborative culture.

We have seen just how vital a collaborative way of life has helped us survive during a worldwide pandemic.

Now is the time to go even deeper in building a collaborative culture.

Answer for Me

The last few years have had an enormous impact on the way I lead and live.

More of my time is spent collaborating with an increasingly more extensive and diverse group of leaders and individuals.

Why?

The problems I must confront are more significant than before, and I cannot solve them all on my own. When the challenges are enormous, and at times overwhelming, I need others.

I need others to share their insights, help me create solutions I cannot accomplish on my own, and be my friend through it all.

Collaboration gives me so many positive feelings and outcomes. It has become my primary way of interacting during the pandemic — and I see it only growing in importance as we navigate to a better future.

Action

What challenges do you face? Which ones are so large, complicated, and vital that you would benefit from the insights and help of others? What is holding you back from seeking the help you need?

The first step in being a good collaborator is recognizing you need to do it.

Once you have found the areas you need help with, you can reach out to exciting — and new — partners to work with.

The process is not complicated. However, it takes courage to ask others for help. This is how we build lasting and robust relationships. Likewise, we become trusted advisors and partners when we help others with their challenges.

Seek this approach. It will help you traverse even the most troubled waters of your life.

Daily Habits

Start each day by identifying the areas you need others to help you with.

What are you avoiding? What can you do today to start to work on the solution? Who is the first person you can ask to help you?

Use these questions to begin to build an action plan and approach to collaboration. Once you know what the challenge is and who can help, start by reaching out to them.

Demonstrate courage and humility by asking for help. Also, offer it today when others need it.

Collaboration is both necessary and rewarding. We all need it more than ever. Use it each day, and it will enhance your overall success.

It will also help you build deep relationships with those you care most about for today and tomorrow.

Do you want more insights?

To learn more about leadership, visit me at www.macny.org.

To get a copy of my book Present-Future Leader, click here.