How well a team can collaborate can make or break a business. Business of all shapes and sizes depend on being able to utilize the talent in the organisation effectively and shape a space that’s open to new idea and growth.
It’s not always easy to collaborate. But it’s a skill that can be learned. And learning how to do so is especially key when you’re a start-up trying to get off the ground. Here’s a few things all entrepreneurs need to know and how you can become a better team-player without blood, sweat, or tears.
Not Everyone Has to Say Yes
The biggest misnomer about working in a team that too many people bring with them is that they need to make sure that they can get their group to 100% agree on the same ideas. How can you implement something that not everyone’s on board with?
This actually isn’t the case. Collaboration doesn’t necessarily mean consensus.
And working together means understanding that while you ideally want to find a solution or some common ground, that it doesn’t mean that you have to alter your ideas or specifically design a product or service that answers to everyone’s whims in your team. It’s okay if a couple people in your group have a different vision of how they’d like your product to look or your service to perform.
Draw on their input but don’t strain about trying to make a product or service that appeases your board. Create a product that best serves the needs of your clients and customers.
You Get What You Put In
As with most things in life, groups are what you make of them. The amount of effort you put into building a team and encouraging a collaboration-friendly environment is key. If done right, you’ll see double or four times the value when it comes to the results you should expect to see. While we hope this is fairly straight-forward, we’ve seen too many bosses and CEOs who believe that all they need to do to encourage strong collaboration is stick a bunch of people in a room and walk away.
Participate in groups. Offer your team the resources and advice they need in order to better envision ideas and collaborate on projects. Do what you can to encourage a collaborative culture and you’ll soon reap the benefits.
Play to Your Strengths/Diversity of Perspectives
Don’t be someone you’re not in a group. A strong team is a team that plays to everyone’s strengths.
When collaborating, focus on the skills and insights you can bring to the table and do what you can to encourage everyone to do the same. Are you more of an introspective introvert? Perhaps focus on background tasks, such as compiling research or building resources. Encourage authenticity and allow each member of your group to put their unique talents and ideas forward.
This is why diversity is key. The more people you can bring into a group, the better. Focus on enlisting people who can provide unique skills and a fresh perspective to a group. Have extroverts working side-by-side with introverts. Attract different age brackets and cultural backgrounds. When everyone comes from the same background or has a similar point-of-view, you’ll miss out on valuable ideas and perspectives.
It Starts with the Culture
If you’re having trouble encouraging strong collaboration, consider your company’s culture. Are you offering an environment where sharing ideas is encouraged? Be transparent with how you conduct your business and encourage your employees to do the same.
By ensuring you have an open environment where employees can speak their mind and integrity is encouraged, you’ll already be one step closer to encouraging an environment where collaboration can happen.
[This post by Jon Westenberg first appeared on Medium and has been reproduced with permission.]
