Effective and constructive collaboration

What is collaboration?

Collaboration is the process in which multiple individuals work together on a task to achieve a common goal, such as completing a project or solving a problem. This can take place in various contexts, such as within a team at work, in volunteer work, or within a family. The competency of ‘effective collaboration’ requires not only technical skills but also, and more importantly, social skills such as clear communication, empathy, mutual respect, and the ability to give and receive feedback.

Why is collaboration important?

Collaboration is important because it strengthens relationships, both professionally and personally. It is more than just a means to achieve goals. Working together enables people to leverage their strengths and improve their weaknesses by learning from one another. Through collaboration, creative solutions are often found as diverse perspectives and expertise are combined. Furthermore, collaboration fosters team spirit and helps overcome personal challenges, such as handling antipathies or tensions between team members. By collaborating, individuals can grow and become more fully human, with a deeper understanding of each other and the task they are jointly carrying out. In essence, learning to collaborate better is akin to learning to become a better human being.

What is effective collaboration in a fixed team?

In a fixed team, effective collaboration is crucial for achieving success. The focus is on team members getting to know each other well, establishing consistent work processes, and building a cohesive team culture. This involves not only the efficient division of tasks and responsibilities but also the development of shared visions and goals. By working together in a fixed team, you create an environment where every member feels supported and where there is space for personal and professional growth. Effective collaboration also means that team members take the time to learn how to handle tensions and conflicts, using them constructively to achieve better results. A fixed team forces us to address internal issues since waiting for the team to change is not an option…

What is multidisciplinary collaboration?

Multidisciplinary teams are often more dynamic than fixed teams, bringing together highly diverse perspectives. This can lead to more innovative solutions but also requires more negotiation and coordination. Because multidisciplinary teams are often temporary and project-based, each team member must be ready to adapt quickly to changes. They need to work effectively with people who may be used to different ways of working. It is, therefore, important that team cohesion develops quickly, that everyone pursues the same goals, and that there is clear understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities. As multidisciplinary teams are typically composed of professionals from various fields with their own jargon, it is essential that everyone ensures clarity in communication. Respect for different disciplines and trust in each other’s expertise are fundamental to this form of collaboration.

Improve the competence of collaboration

Collaboration involves much more than simply working together on a project. It encompasses the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, listen well, give and receive constructive feedback, show empathy, and jointly take responsibility for the final result. These skills are essential in nearly every professional context, as they contribute to a harmonious and productive work environment.
When collaboration goes well, you gradually add the ‘human spark’—small gestures of kindness, expressions of gratitude, gentle remarks, gestures of comfort and encouragement, and hopefully plenty of laughter.

At Double Healix, we specialise in guiding groups and teams who wish to improve their collaboration, both in enhancing efficiency and in reigniting the ‘human spark’.

Some tips for effective and constructive collaboration

1. Ensure good communication
Clear and open communication is a crucial key to successful collaboration. Remember that everyone carries their own history and culture. Some may handle direct feedback well, while others might require more delicacy.
Look for ways to convey information in a way that resonates with the other person. Being right doesn’t mean getting your way. And further consider this question: Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?

2. Be respectful
Show respect for each team member’s opinions and contributions. Practise listening, summarise what you have understood from the other, and check if it’s accurate. Recognise that others offer opportunities for you to learn more about yourself. Even if you disagree with a colleague, it’s important to protect their dignity and rights. Respect in collaboration also reflects the respect you have for yourself, your own desires, and boundaries.

3. Practise flexibility
Be willing to adapt to changes and different working styles. Explore what compromises are possible for you, but also ensure you can set clear boundaries.

4. Give each other feedback
Provide constructive feedback and be open to suggestions from others. Life is for learning. Even if you find the feedback irrelevant, acknowledge it and indicate that you’ll consider it. Realise that everything presents an opportunity to learn, even if you ultimately set it aside.

5. Set joint, meaningful goals
Make sure everyone in the team shares the same end goal. This sounds simpler than it is. Remember that working together is always a journey, and the destination is often adjusted. One of the most important energy sources in any collaboration is the feeling that you are contributing something meaningful to the wider community.
There are three variations:
a. You can only connect the dots looking back.
b. Begin with the end in mind.
c. It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.

6. Celebrate successes together
Make sure you know what results you want to achieve and break them down into smaller steps, so there’s something to celebrate along the way. Help each other clarify priorities, define what a successful step looks like, and celebrate together when that step is taken. Give each other sufficient recognition for the effort made and explore what can be improved further.

Inspiration and examples of effective and constructive collaboration

Examples of successful collaboration can range from jointly solving a complex problem, developing a new product, to organising an event. In each of these cases, it is crucial that team members communicate effectively, show respect for each other’s ideas and perspectives, and work together to achieve the set goals.
Inspiration for effective collaboration can be found by studying successful team projects throughout history, from examples of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration, or from videos and articles on team dynamics and group processes. These examples demonstrate how collaboration can lead to remarkable results and personal fulfilment.
On our online MovieLearning platform, you will find many courses with the finest examples of teamwork between people and groups. With short clips from existing feature films and documentaries, we show how constructive collaboration can look, whether in families, sports teams, military units, commercial businesses, education, and many other settings.

Double Healix supports constructive and effective collaboration

Collaboration is more than just a way to achieve goals. It is a path to personal growth, strengthening relationships, and creating a productive and harmonious work environment. By investing in the skill of collaboration, both at the individual level and within teams and groups, organisations and individuals can achieve better results, find new solutions, and derive more enjoyment from the work they do. Collaboration is not only necessary for efficiency, but also for becoming better individuals, learning from each other, and enjoying the process.
With these insights, collaboration can be seen as a fundamental skill essential in almost any context, going beyond the superficial goal of task division to serve a deeper purpose in the development of individuals and teams. Collaboration is a journey that leads us to ever new destinations, within ourselves and in others.

At Double Healix, we are happy to guide you and your team on this exciting journey!
Take a look at the possibilities of our team training offerings. Or check out the online MovieLearning course How to Build a High-Impact Team.