When we talk about collaboration, we often focus on activity – the doing and the output. And yes, these are important. However, have you ever asked yourself how you personally contribute to the collaboration dynamic? How do you show up as a collaborator?
In leadership seminars, we’re often told about the importance of self-leadership before we lead. How about self-collaboration before we collaborate? Self-awareness of how we show up in the collaboration process is a crucial first step before engaging with others and presents an entirely different dynamic.
How you show up as a collaborator is as important as how you drive collaboration.
One is the precursor to the other.
So, take some time and reflect on the following five questions:
- What are your strengths? What are your skills, knowledge or other superpowers you possess?
- How do you think? Are you someone who likes to deep dive into detail and data?, are you an ideas person?, are you a fine-tuner? or are you a ‘how will we make this happen’ person? Or do you simply like to get sh*t done?
- What do you need to do your best thinking? Time, engagement, new spaces?
- What happens when you get stressed? Do you need people around you, or do you need time alone? Do you get angry or lose your voice?
- How do you tend to relate to others? Are you a harmony driver, challenger, timeline sergeant?
- What is your relationship to the work itself? Does it give you energy? Does it frustrate you? Do you have a vision for what it looks like?
Before we can collaborate, we have to understand how we show up. Then we can design for better collaboration across different thinking styles.
Try it out, ask your collaborators to do the same, and discuss your answers.
We’re better together but nobody taught us how.
