Effective Collaboration

We may devise scores of strategies and outlay various processes for effective collaboration, but in the end when we are working with people, we are working with people - a bunch of individuals each of whom is unique in some way or the other and will be consciously or sub-consciously aligned to his/her own interpretation of the outcome.

Hence, the only common thread that can, in reality, underline effective collaboration while working in teams (especially cross-functional) is to make all the stakeholders realize that we are working with them. Not for them, not directed by them, but working with them. Consider how successful the "focused-group discussion model" is for any kind of research/review/discussion-in-general. The reason is that the participants are carefully chosen/volunteer on the basis of common motivators, and hence the discussions are driven by all the participants equally. And while they may foresee different benefits being derived from the outcome, they are working towards it together. The catch lies not in the end result, but in the approach towards attaining it.

Even in debates, if one notices carefully, by the very nature of the discussion the participants ought to hold opposing views of the subject, still what makes this forum interesting is that both are equally passionate about the subject. Hence the views they hold, however radically opposing they may be, eventually enable the success of the idea of debate.

And by the way, we may not realize, but we too are a contributor towards this diversity within aspirational unity. We too come to discussions with our own set of notions and biases. Hence the best way forward to collaborate effectively is firstly, to intend to work together. Secondly, to call-it out very clearly right from the beginning, and reiterate as much as possible. And thirdly, to set-out with the assumption that everybody wants the discussion to lead to success, because positive mindset is infectious. The desired outcomes (expected or unexpected) will organically follow.