Don’t collaborate on everything. Everyone shouldn’t make every decision. Everyone doesn’t have to agree on every decision.
Collaboration backfires when it dilutes responsibility.
Lack of accountability means collaboration stagnation.
Collaboration stagnation:
Endless meetings without decisions point to stagnation.
Delay masked as inclusiveness ends effectiveness.
Politeness isn’t a way of avoiding conflict, it’s the way we deal with conflict.
Stagnation happens when…
- Comfort supersedes accountability.
- Delegation is a group activity instead of individual responsibility.
- Fear of offending eliminates common sense.
- The house is on fire and decisions are delayed.
- Day-to-day work is hindered by discussions.
- Fear of doing your job without approval from others limits performance.
- Excessive planning is the manifestation of fear.
Avoid Collaboration Stagnation
- Set aside personal agendas.
- Make forward progress mandatory. Every meeting ends with, “Who does what by when?”
- Expect decisions. When the same topic comes up more than twice, require a decision.
- Share what’s already been decided before you begin discussing.
- Define goals and responsibilities clearly. Ambiguity prolongs stagnation.
- Listen to experts, but don’t surrender decisions that have broad impact.
- Designate the people who are responsible. (See #2)
- Don’t surrender to emotion. The person you can’t confront controls you.
- Delegate decision-making authority.
- Distinguish input from vote.
- Focus novices on challenging assumptions and “what if” suggestions.
- 100% agreement with decisions isn’t necessary, 100% commitment is.
Power tips:
You are collaborating when you seek input before making decisions, even when one person is the decision-maker.
Seek input on the front-end of decisions, not after something goes wrong.
Work in small, highly committed teams when leadership mandates consensus style decision-making.
What does it mean when collaboration works?
What makes collaboration work?
How to Be Decisive and Collaborative When the House is on Fire
The Secret of Enthusiasm is Short-Term Commitments
Benefits and risks of collaborative working
