Companies these days are encouraged to become more agile, especially as the way we work is changing so rapidly. The key to success is to develop effective collaboration – both in-person and remotely – to ensure your company remains flexible, innovative and competitive.
So, how do you enable effective collaboration at all levels?
Here are five steps to consider.
1- Put the right processes in place across the company
It is natural human behaviour to collaborate. The reason some people do not collaborate effectively within organisations is often because of barriers put up by business leaders, such as unnecessary bureaucracy or a top-down approach.
Instead, you should remove these barriers and create an environment that encourages collaboration. For example, use open office layouts with collaboration zones, allow flexible working hours and remote working options.
For people to collaborate effectively, it is important that managers collaborate with each other so there is better co-ordination across the company.
Sometimes, managers expect people to be superheroes, especially the competent ones who often end up being burdened with too much work and leave as a result. Instead, give your talent the space, authority and tools to collaborate with others.
2- Create a culture of openness and co-operation
It is important to have the right processes in place, but you also need to foster a culture of collaboration. Top management are responsible for setting the tone and incentivising people to collaborate with each other.
They can do this by showcasing and rewarding behaviours – both explicit and implicit – that lead to strong collaboration, both within teams and across different departments. They can also set up cross-departmental committees to foster a more collegiate environment.
People are happier and more driven when they feel part of a team, especially when working remotely. Moreover, they are more likely to stay with the company, which is great for stability and growth.
Cegos likes to practise what it preaches, and I believe we have a very collaborative-driven culture. For instance, collaborative efforts are recognised within the group and there is a shared framework in place.
Staff in different countries work together on international projects, which creates a vibrant dynamic. However, it is important that people at the top take responsibility for driving such initiatives, as it needs central co-ordination.
3- Change mindsets to be more collaborative
If a collaborative culture is not the norm in your organisation, it may be necessary to shift the prevailing mindset so that staff will be more accommodating.
Following the pandemic, managers wanted people to come back to the office after spending the last two years working remotely. Some managers wanted to go back to the old ways of collaborating – i.e., everyone sat at their desks where they could be supervised, and management could be satisfied they were working and not distracted.
However, this thinking failed to recognise that the collaborative mindset among many had changed. People wanted more flexibility and trust, as had been the case during the lockdowns.
Managers must understand the evolving landscape of working methods and keep in touch with the needs and desires of their teams. They need to put in place a common framework, where everyone will adhere to agreed standards and collaborative practices.
4- Develop your team’s communication skills
Communication is a foundational skill for everyone working within a professional organisation and lies at the heart of every collaboration. When people communicate clearly and effectively, their co-workers will align with their objectives and understand what they need to do.
However, many people lack the right communication skills to perform at their best. This applies to people at all levels, including those at the top.
People may need training to be active listeners or deal with intense emotions when working with others, as this has a direct impact on performance and morale.
They must show a willingness to communicate and understand how to deal with people who are reluctant to collaborate because they may be anxious or frustrated.
Coaching can also be an effective way of improving communication skills, especially for senior managers and leaders.
5- Use collaborative tools wisely
Managers can be overwhelmed by the number of collaborative tools on the market, from Microsoft Teams to Slack.
However, it is important not to get caught up in the latest trend and constantly introduce new tools for your staff to work with. Why? Because people are comfortable using existing tools and learning how to use new ones takes time.
Make sure there is a serious benefit when introducing new tools. If there isn’t one, it is better to train people to use existing tools more effectively. Many people are unaware of some useful functionalities within the tools they are familiar with.
The same goes for AI. We are encouraged to use generative AI tools to reduce menial tasks and make us more productive. If that happens, great. But, again, make sure people are trained properly to use them and only introduce when people can see a clear benefit.
Hopefully, these five steps have inspired you to make collaboration the engine for growth in your organisation.
If you would like to know more about how Cegos can improve collaboration within your company, contact us today.
