2. Training Objectives
By the end of the session you will understand
What is Collaboration-Definition
Collaborative Approach in the Workplace
Benefits of Collaboration
Holding creative and productive conversation
How to Collaborate
Traditional leaders vs. Collaborative leaders
Getting Skilful at Managing Conflicts
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 2
3. Definition
Collaboration is highly diversified teams working together inside and outside a company
with the purpose to create value by improving innovation, customer relationships and
efficiency while leveraging technology for effective interactions in the virtual and
physical space.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 3
4. Collaboration in the workplace
Is when two or more people (often groups) work together through idea sharing
and thinking to accomplish a common goal.
It is simply teamwork taken to a higher level. Teamwork is often a physical
joining of two people or a group to accomplish a task.
Collaboration in the workplace incorporates teamwork and several other
aspects, such as the following:
1. Thinking and brainstorming ideas to providesolutions
2. A strong sense of purpose
3. Equal participation
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 4
5. Contd..
Thinking and brainstorming ideas to provide solutions -
This key element brings groups together to offer different perspectives and
expertise to solve for common problems. The phrase putting our heads
together would be a good example of this important element of collaboration.
A strong sense of purpose -
Groups and individuals who truly collaborate
see the value in working together.
Collaboration is not forced upon someone.
There should be a meaningful reason for
working together, and it should benefit both parties or the company as a whole.
Equal participation - In corporates a collaborative manager or leader may
often say, 'leave your titles at the door.' Treating everyone as equals when
collaborating can open up communication and encourage ideas from all levels
of the company or department, not just the managers or directors.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 5
7. Benefits
Access to Skills and Strengths - When companies or departments collaborate, they are able to
utilize the strengths and skills of everyone involved. For example, you may struggle with presentation
skills but know all the benefits and challenges of a particular task or solution. Collaborating will
enable you to share your knowledge and work with someone who can present the ideas in the best
fashion. This will increase your odds of getting a proposal approved through upper management. The
more people involved, the more skills you have access to!
Develop Employee Skills - The company and employees benefit from collaboration because as a
result of sharing ideas and working together, they see how others think, negotiate and operate. This
gives employees a better understanding of how the company operates at a higher level, and not just
their individual department. The skills and knowledge that each employee can pick up from others
can be utilized or taken back to their own department to make improvements or enhancements.
Solve Problems and Innovate Faster - What may take you three months to solve on your own may
only take three hours to solve in a collaborative workplace. Access to several employees with unique
expertise and viewpoints will most likely allow you to come up with ideas and solutions that you may
not have thought of on your own at a faster pace.
Work Efficiency (Divide and Conquer) - Collaborating in the workplace allows businesses to
complete important projects and initiatives in a more efficient manner. With multiple individuals or
departments involved, work can be distributed more evenly and efficiently to those who have the time
and expertise. This is often referred to as a divide and conquer strategy.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 7
8. Holding creative and productive conversation
1. Pay attention to the other person
Active listening is one of the most important components of good
conversation. If the person speaking can see that your attention is elsewhere,
they will quickly lose interest in sharing what they have to say and in listening
to what you have to share.
2. Let people sell themselves
It’s simple. We as humans love to talk about ourselves or things that are
happening to us. Productive conversations involve people sharing about
themselves, stories of their past or present, and their dreams of what the future
may hold. Let people tell their story! You will get to know them and connect
more easily.
3. Summarize others’ viewpoints
A quick recap of what has just been said, especially if the other person has been
talking for a while, helps the conversation move along smoothly.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 8
9. Contd..
4. Don’t interrupt
It’s simple. Don’t be rude. Unless an urgent issue arises in the conversation,
don’t interrupt. Give the other person the space to communicate.
5. Make eye contact
A key part of active listening in a conversation is making eye contact. Now, I’m
not suggesting you stare intently at the speaker’s eyes without blinking. That’s a
staring contest, not a conversation. You can even look somewhere close, that
may not be their eyes like their forehead or nose. But an attempt at eye contact
lets the speaker know that you are present and listening.
6. Ask open questions
Ask questions that bring out more than just a yes or no, or one word in
response. Open questions like “Why did you decide to study biology?” allow a
person to open up and share more about themselves than simple one word
answers, which can halt the flow of a conversation.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 9
10. Contd..
7. Smile
It’s interesting that most of the tips in this list about conversation have nothing
to do with you talking. But your body actions definitely are important. So smile!
Your body language is crucial to creating a warm and welcoming environment
for the other person to share.
8. Find things in common
Conversation comes easier, and people connect more quickly when there are
commonalities. How can you find out what you have in common? Try some of
the previously mentioned tips. Ask questions, listen to their story, take notice
of the things around them and maybe you can spark up a connection on high
school over the class rings you both are wearing
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 10
12. Think of Ideas
When we work, we should always think of ideas. Ideas are very much important to
think of. For instance with designers and developers, there are times when a
designer thinks of something but seems impossible for the developer to do
it. Think of not only one idea, but several yet relevant ideas..
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 12
13. Speak Up
Speak your mind. Tell what you think of your project or of one idea. Speaking
improves how we think and talk to other people.
Be friendly when you speak up. Avoid being aggressive or
boastful, this can make your
co-worker feel uncomfortable
towards you.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 13
14. Listen
Collaboration is a two-way transmission. There will be times when you will have to
speak, and there will be times when you will need to sit down and listen to what your
co-worker has to say.
When you listen, listen attentively.
This will make them listen to
you well like how you listened
to their insights.
While listening,
take notes.
Notes are very useful when you want to
remember something important that
will bring a good effect to your work.
Make sure the notes you take are the important ones.Preapred By Sumit Mehta 14
15. Cooperate
Collaboration will not happen if there is no cooperation between two entities.
Cooperate if you think you have an idea in mind that can help your project reach
success.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 15
16. Know your goals and Be responsible
Know your Goals and Priorities
Goals define your priorities. You should know your goals and priorities so that you
will know where you can focus yourself.
Be Responsible
Always be responsible, do not ever waste your resources with irrelevant things on
your work. Maximize your resources by being responsible so you will reach success
and be acknowledged for it.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 16
17. Do Your Best
Always do your best in everything you do,
to reach S-U-C-C-E-S-S.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 17
20. Beginnings of conflict
Poor communication
Seeking power
Dissatisfaction with management style
Weak leadership
Lack of openness
Change in leadership
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 20
21. Conflict indicators:
Body language
Disagreements, regardless of issue
Withholding bad news
Conflicts in value system
Desire for power
Increasing lack of respect
Open disagreement
Lack of clear goals
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 21
22. Dealing with Conflict
Conflict occurs when individuals
or groups are not obtaining what
they need or want and are seeking
their own self-interest.
Sometimes the individual is not
aware of the need and
unconsciously starts to act out.
Other times, the individual is very
aware of what he or she wants and
actively works at achieving the
goal.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 22
23. Techniques for avoiding and/or resolving conflict
Meet conflict head on
Plan for and communicate frequently
Be honest about concerns
Agree to disagree - understand healthy disagreement would build better
decisions
Let your team create - people will support what they help create
Discuss differences in values openly
Continually stress the importance of following policy
Communicate honestly - avoid playing "gotcha" type games
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 23
24. Follow these guidelines for reaching a consensus
Avoid arguing over individual ranking or position. Present a position as logically as
possible.
Avoid "win-lose" statements. Discard the notion that someone must win.
Avoid changing of minds only in order to avoid conflict and to achieve harmony.
Treat differences of opinion as indicative of incomplete sharing of relevant
information, keep asking questions.
Keep the attitude that holding different views is both natural and healthy to team
building.
Preapred By Sumit Mehta 24
