Stop. Listen. Collaborate.
“Stop. Collaborate and listen!” Could it be that Vanilla Ice has great advice for collaboration?
I hear the word collaboration thrown around a lot by leaders and managers. Unfortunately, collaboration usually means “Let's divide the work up. Bam! We're collaborating.”
The end result is usually a project that is written in a different voices and highlights different viewpoints. Basically, divvying up work is exactly just that – a divided project and leads to a poor work.
But what if we listened to Vanilla Ice? If we stopped and listened while collaborating?
Stop – I do not believe that we can over communicate when working on a collaborative project. Dividing up the work is necessary, but if you start changing other teammate's contribution or the team's vision for the project just STOP! Gather your team and tell them your idea. Communicate your vision. Your vision may inspire them as well and this can bring about a better result!
Listen – Listening is key to a successful collaborative project. A true collaboration allows all the team members to give feedback. It's important to listen to each other's perspective and take it under careful consideration. The goal is to have the best possible product for your client. Listening to feedback makes that happen.
Team collaboration leads to a better product than just the efforts of one. There is also an unintended consequence of true collaboration. The team members improve, learn from each other and strengthen their bonds.
Stop. Listen. Collaborate and above all else don't rip off David Bowie & Queen.
What are your tips for collaboration? Leave comments below or look me up on twitter!
