“Most great learning happens in groups. Collaboration is the stuff of growth.” Sir Ken Robinson
What is collaboration?
Collaboration is…people working together, with the same goals and vision.
Collaboration requires communication and a fluid movement of ideas, which are grounded in respect and honesty.
What are the benefits of collaboration?
improves productivity, engagement, skills and teamwork
encourages sharing, flexibility and adaptability of ideas
fuels creativity
builds trust
Things to consider before collaborating:
Relationships: are there any personality clashes in the team? Can you reorganise to allow for this? Or proactively address it?
Face time: how will the team communicate? Collaboration can be less efficient when contact is largely virtual. Use video or web conferencing for an ‘in the room’ feel.
Openness: honest, constructive feedback is crucial to a collaborative culture, and that requires trust.
Five steps to creating a collaborative culture
Step 1: Communicate your plans
Set out a vision: explain clearly how and why you want the team to collaborate.
Establish mechanisms: define and agree how collaboration will function on a practical level.
Step 2: Create the right environment
Break down physical boundaries if possible: open-plan work, meeting or break-out spaces encourage collaboration.
Cultivate a community feel: connect the team inside and outside work through social events.
Have regular huddles: updating each other on individual progress can prevent duplication of effort and help build on ideas.
Step 3: Focus on team roles
Make roles and responsibilities clear: this motivates and encourages productivity. It can also help utilise the talents within the team efficiently.
Define ownership: giving people ownership and authority over their tasks helps them be more accountable to the rest of the team for their own work.
Step 4: Lead by example
Share knowledge: this encourages team engagement and establishes trust.
Be open to feedback: this will encourage others to do the same.
Step 5: Find the right tools
There are many software packages and apps that can help with collaboration, including:
Google Docs: for collaborating on documents/ spreadsheets etc.
Trello: for managing project workflow.
Slack: for quick, easy communication, and integration with other programmes.
Skype/Google Hangouts: for video calls.
Pinterest: for sharing visual samples.
Evernote: for sharing ideas, notes and samples.
Give your people the right environment, the right structure and the right tools to collaborate effectively, and watch their productivity and output soar.
References
Sir Ken Robinson, cited in Sharratt and Planche, Leading Collaborative Learning: Empowering Excellence (Corwin, 2016).
Lynda Gratton and Tamara J Erickson, ‘Eight Ways to Build Collaborative Teams’, Harvard Business Review (November 2007): https://hbr.org/2007/11/eight-ways-to-build-collaborative-teams.
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