COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP

 

Regardless of your role, you can make a difference in helping create a culture of collaboration within your team, family or community. The following are attitudes and actions that build a collaborative environment.

 

The HEART Domain of Collaboration

Utilize Differences

 

1. Be a role model.

   • Acknowledge to yourself and others that you don’t have all the answers.

   • Embrace new approaches; seek and value unique perspectives.

2. Actively seek opinions from a variety of sources.

   • Reach out for input from other successful teams, families, communities

   • Engage a variety of people in discussions.

   • Encourage introverts who may be uncomfortable speaking out.

   • Make sure every voice is heard, regardless of title or role.

   • Ask questions and praise candid answers.

   • Remember: diverse perspectives lead to innovation and decisions for the greater good.

3. Promote the idea that disagreement is constructive.

   • Encourage debate around issues; support differing viewpoints.

   • Take a facilitator role if difficulties arise; seek to understand concerns behind each stated position.

   • Get training and train others in giving/receiving feedback and in conflict resolution.

   • Airing of different perspectives with the whole team can ultimately build trusting relationships.

 

Nurture Safety and Trust

 

1. Be a role model.

   • Share knowledge freely to model what you expect of others.

   • Encourage others to speak freely without fear of judgment.

   • Welcome all ideas and consider them before decisions are made.

   • Give and receive feedback as a gift, without judgment or defensiveness.

   • Be accessible, authentic, and dependable.

2. Build trust.

   • View mistakes and failures as learning opportunities; discuss openly.

   • Encourage at all levels.

   • Provide learning events that focus on trust building and team development.

   • Cultivate a safe, collaborative environment.

   • Be transparent when making decisions.

   • Be sure people know their role and what a good job looks like.

   • Share responsibility and power among all levels.

   • Develop common goals and strategies and clear areas of responsibility.

   • Give people freedom and space to experiment and innovate.

 

The HEAD Domain of Collaboration

Involve Others in Crafting a Clear Purpose, Values, and Goals

 

1. Be a role model.

   • A clear, shared purpose galvanizes action; values guide behavior; and goals focus energy.The project leader must ensure vision and direction are clear.

   • Get feedback from everyone when crafting the purpose statement, operating values, and strategic goals for the project.

   • Demonstrate a commitment to the greater good.

   • Focus on continual improvement and, ultimately, team success.

   • Have accountability standards for yourself and others.

   • Show your colleagues what values look like as behaviors.

2. Align your project’s purpose and values to those of the team/community.

   • Assure that the goals and strategies put into practice drive your purpose.

   • Rank values in order of importance.

   • Check every decision you and the project team make against stated values  

   • Project team should define what collaboration means for this project: use collaborative language and commit to collaborative practices.

3. Create a charter for every project.

   • Make sure everyone is clear on purpose, goals, roles, and the metrics for which they will be held accountable.

   • In times of difficulty, refer to the charter agreements for guidance.

   • Together with the project group, periodically review the charter to keep it top of mind and ensure it is relevant to the needs of the project.

   • Use the charter as a vehicle for onboarding new people.

 

The HANDS Domain of Collaboration

Talk Openly

 

1. Be a role model.

   • Listen to understand.

   • Share all relevant information.

   • Give constructive feedback and be open to feedback from others.

   • Encourage spontaneous interaction.

   • Seek information and ask questions.

   • Have an open door policy.

   • Encourage candor with respect.

2. Promote sharing and learning.

   • Encourage networking among all teams and at all levels.

   • Create opportunities for cross functional teaming on projects.

   • Take time to evaluate meetings to maximize effective communication.

   • Train your people in communication skills and team development.

 

Empower Yourself and Others

​

1. Be a role model.

   • Share your knowledge and experience.

   • Network with others across the initiative.

   • Speak up in meetings.

   • Be a continual learner.

2. Empower each other.

   • Encourage mutual learning.

   • Build trust and reciprocity through sharing and networking.

   • Make sure you and your colleagues have competence and clarity on tasks and goals.

   • Involve other teams in idea generation sessions and decision making.

   • Create formal and informal sharing opportunities