How do you set the stage for good collaborations?

Question

TL;DR edit —— Some big answers and themes so far

• Good value + mission alignment (s/o Maya, Ambrose)
• Kindness, openness and friendliness (s/o Amy)
• Showing gratitude/humility (s/o Hira, Amy, Ghulam)
• Establishing credibility (s/o Sidra)
• Strong communication (s/o Hamza)

This question came up recently in a Create Connected drop; my guest Georgann landed on good intuitive chemistry (like when you hit it off with someone at a party)

Maya A · Accepted Answer

I think a big one is having clear goals and objectives that all parties agree upon. I think having a discussion on what the desired outcome of the collaboration for each person fosters an environment of open communication and trust, which often leads to great results :)

Answer

Good collaborations need clear communication, mutual respect, shared goals and expectations, and a willingness to be flexible and open-minded. Some specific ways to set the stage for good collaborations are to set clear roles and responsibilities, create a collaborative work environment, set up clear communication channels, give regular feedback and praise, and build a culture of trust and accountability. Also, it's important to agree on a shared vision and purpose for the collaboration and make sure that everyone is committed to working together towards a common goal.

Aqsa Sajjad · Answer

If you are working with a new client, it’s advisable to start small. Once again, this is because you want to build trust and make sure the other person is a good partner for your business. Always strive to meet the deadlines so that you can maintain a good reputation with your partners.

Hira Batra · Answer

By showing gratitude.

Maya A · Answer

@jlyon yep :)

Ghulam Mustafa · Answer

Collaboration is not about what you bring to the table but what you take away from the table. You will not succeed in collaborative environment if you are trying to dominate or control the other members. Team work is all about working together toward a common goal. If you can come to the table with a humble spirit and the desire to learn from others, then you will do great. Remember that collaboration is not about what you bring to the table but what you take away from the table.

Jameson Lyon · Answer

@mayaa.17 trueee! So making sure you and your collaborators are aligned in mission/"why" before jumping in?

Hamza Afzal Butt · Answer

Make sure you always communicate the benefits and expectations upfront. Don’t leave room for ambiguity. When you are working with another party, it’s important to always keep the line of communication open. It’s a must to make sure rules, regulations, criteria and deliverables are clear.

Sidra Arif · Answer

Establish credibility: People do business with those they trust. If they can’t trust you they won’t work with you. This is why you should build your credibility through sound and consistent communications.

Jameson Lyon · Answer

@hamza_afzal_butt Interesting, thanks for the take Hamza!

It sounds like we have slightly different definitions of collaboration. What you're describing sounds to me more like a client-contractor relationship!

Answer

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Jameson Lyon · Answer

@aqsa_sajjad Big fan of setting small goals to start an incrementing towards a bigger milestone. Thanks Aqsa!

Jameson Lyon · Answer

@amb_stevenson great answer, Ambrose. I'd be curious to know more specifics. For example: what makes for a good collaborative work environment?

Love your point on shared vision. I think this is oft overlooked in lieu of skills/raw ability.

Jameson Lyon · Answer

@amy_g_debnam Great points, Amy! Love openness, honesty, and kindness as strong pillars of collaboration.

If I can challenge one point though: I don't think pointing out a mistake (if done with kindness and respect) implies you're insulting or blaming others. More so saying "hey, here's a place where this can be better!"

In that way, I actually think the job of a good collaborator *is* to point out (and correct) mistakes in a way that lifts the group up as a whole.

What do you think?

Jameson Lyon · Answer

@sidraarifali very interesting take, Sidra. Thank you!

I hadn't thought of credibility as a contributor to collaboration, but I suppose it does imply some preexisting proof to put your collaborators' minds at ease.

How do you set the stage for good collaborations?

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