Oh, how we love to change the names of things; I chuckle when I hear gurus tout collaboration as a hearty business tool. Consider open source and crowd sourcing as two ways to collaborate effectively; these are tools.
Collaboration is really a mindset.
It is more about how will you project your creative juices at a problem to find a solution or expand an existing situation. How do you feel about setting your idea free?
Clients often say, “Well, someone will copy this,” or “How can I get paid for this?” They impede the opportunity for the idea to come to life. The attitude tells me they are holding the invisible string to see if it’s a sure thing. That says fear to me. Fear crushes more good ideas before they hit the air.
Instead, let’s introduce the idea of sharing and how everyone benefits from it. In your early educational career, like second grade, your teacher assessed your ability to “share well with others.” Can you remember how you were perceived in those days? If not, please review these easy, quick questions to see how you’ve progressed:
1. I want to be the only one who receives credit for work. Yes or No
2. “I enjoy when a plan comes together” (A-Team favorite line!) Yes or No
3. When I put an idea out, I don’t want to be criticized. Yes or No
4. Others have better ideas than I do so I’ll keep quiet. Yes or No
5. When I meet with a team, I am inspired by the creative process. Yes or No
6. Working with others generates ideas of my own. Yes or No
7. How my ideas will be used are important to me—I want control. Yes or No
8. My boss steals my ideas so I don’t contribute anymore. Yes or No
9. I like to collaborate around the world and see how others perceive
a problem and may provide a new perspective to a solution. Yes or No
10. I speak out in a group setting so I can show how smart I am. Yes or No
Any one or all of these may have crossed your mind. What are some others you’d like to see me include in a running list? Please email me and you will receive credit for your idea ;-).
Being alone with a great idea is no fun. Let’s celebrate it together and expand on your idea.
The next step is being in a safe, encouraging work environment that welcomes fresh input. It’s also about trust.
When working with organizations and companies the first element on the table is TRUST. As we establish trust and respect for ideas, no one is made to be wrong and everyone can participate equally in the process.
The impetus for this post was my download from Hubspot. They are the most collaborative and sharing company I’ve had the pleasure to engage. Dan Zarella is one of my favorites. His wisdom is worth $$$$thousands! Be sure to subscribe to the blog—
Shout out to: Magdalena Georgieva, Meghan Keaney Anderson, Pamela Vaughan, Dan Tyre and the entire Hubspot team.
Happy thinking . . . and make your second-grade teacher proud—collaborate! MC
Enjoy this from Hubspot:
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