Transform Your Teamwork into True Collaboration
“Hi, Karin, my team gets along just fine, but I wouldn’t call it TRUE COLLABORATION. What advice do you have to get them to collaborate more? #AskingForaFriend
How Can I Improve Collaboration on My Team?
True collaboration leads to innovation, improved problem-solving, and efficiency. To harness the power of true collaboration. Today on Asking for a Friend, I share four practical ways to improve collaboration: Clarity, Connection, Curiosity, and Commitment.
Pave the way to Better Teamwork and Results with the Four C’s
#1 Clarity
When we get a call from a leader looking to improve teamwork, one of the most common opportunities we find is a need for greater CLARITY. They need a shared vision of success. So, if you’re looking for more collaboration on your team, start here, “Does my team truly need one another to be successful?” You can’t really collaborate, f you’re not working toward the same goal. Or worse, when your goals compete.
#2 Connection
Real teamwork can’t happen without trust. This goes beyond just “getting along.” Does your team understand each other’s strengths? Do they know how to leverage them and help one another to grow? Do they have a solid understanding of how each person works at their best?
If you’re looking for a good place to start, here are 10 questions to talk about as a team.
Also, I recently interviewed Dr. David Burkus and he shared his great ideas about how to create a team manual and to help your team understand each other. Read about it here and watch the video. When team members feel valued and connected, they are more likely to collaborate openly and authentically, leading to better outcomes.
#3 Curiosity
One of the challenges that can derail collaboration and teamwork is when people have different ideas about how to explore new ways of doing things.
If you encourage team members to question assumptions, explore unconventional solutions, and seek diverse perspectives you can help guide your team to be curious together. Curiosity opens doors to new ideas and insights that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. When individuals are encouraged to ask “What if?” and “Why not?”, innovative solutions emerge.
#4 Commitment
Are people holding one another accountable? Are they having accountability conversations as needed? Collaboration is a journey, not a destination.
Set clear expectations for timelines, milestones, and regular check-ins. Carve out time to celebrate achievements to keep the team motivated and engaged. Acknowledge and reward the dedication and hard work of each team member. By building in these accountability conversations you can focus on commitment and create a sense of ownership and responsibility.
I’m curious, what would YOU add? What’s one of your favorite best practices for deeper collaboration at work?
Check out these related articles:
Workplace Conflict: 12 Powerful Phrases to Turn Conflict to Collaboration
3 Characteristics That Could Be Preventing Your Good Team from Becoming Great
It’s also important to make sure you are collaborating with the right people. Sometimes it’s useful to invite customers, suppliers or outside experts into the collaboration process.
Paul, Thank you! Such an important point. Thanks for expanding the conversation.