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Whether we work on a small or large team, partner with colleagues on business projects or volunteer in an organization, we greatly depend on collaboration. When we join forces with other people we benefit from their gifts and insights to create a deeper and richer end result. The process of collaboration is extraordinary when it works well and can test the best of us when it becomes competitive. In a previous blog I shared how Prince Harry was able to turn a competitive mission with wounded veterans into a collaborative effort in order to meet their goal. Without the two British teams collaborating instead of competing, neither team would have endured the treacherous terrain and reached the South Pole.

[Tweet “Leadership is about moving from competition to collaboration.”]

Collaboration is an important leadership skill that when mastered, empowers us to learn from others and share ourselves with them. It requires each of us to keep an open mind and be willing to include other people’s perspectives in reaching solutions. We need to be able to ask others for their input and not just focus on what we see as the best or only way to achieve our objective.

I will share with you a secret. The most valuable question I have learned to ask when collaborating with others is this:

What are your thoughts?

 That’s it! It’s simple, powerful and proven to heighten any collaboration. Here’s why asking others for their thoughts is magical:

IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL VALUABLE

Asking someone for their ideas or opinion is saying that you value their perspective. I have been on work teams where I was not asked for my take on the situation or problem. When that happens I usually speak up but I feel much more connection to the project when I am asked for my input.

[Tweet “Asking people for their suggestions is telling them we value them.”]

IT CULTIVATES INNOVATION

No leader has all the answers. Working alone often brings about similar solutions that we feel comfortable with. Sometimes we need to have another set of eyes and a different set of skills to tackle the challenge. When we brainstorm with other leaders we hear about different models and theories. That leads to new resolutions.

IT CREATES COMRADERY AND TRUST

When I recently collaborated with another HR Director, we spent a great deal of time sharing how we were going to present a program. I asked him many questions about the company’s culture and he asked me how I would design the workshops. We grew to learn more about our different styles, our different types of jobs and even about our families. We established a friendship and trust level which resulted in a program we both were proud to be part of.

 IT SHARES LESSONS LEARNED AND MISTAKES TO AVOID

Discovering what missteps another leader took or what positive strategies worked can be invaluable. In my recent Leadership program many of the managers asked each other their thoughts on handling difficult team members. Powerful stories were shared and critical techniques were offered. It was a win-win for all the leaders as they all walked away so appreciative of their colleagues’ insights.

IT EMPOWERS US TO REACH OUR GOAL

Whatever the endgame, it can be attained in a highly successful way by asking others what their experience has been and what their current thoughts are to reach the target. If we keep our goal in mind and not be consumed with who came up with the chosen solution, we will be proud we asked: “What are your thoughts.”

Which strategies have you tried to collaborate? How do you go about asking others to share?

 

 

 

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