You learned the importance of working with others as a kid, and now as an adult, collaboration couldn’t be more important. Whether it’s a new initiative or big presentation, knowing how to collaborate and work well with your colleagues in the office can be make it or break it.
Collaboration is the glue that keeps any team or company culture together. It can increase creativity, boost team morale and productivity, and help you stand out to higher ups. Collaboration is critical in a topsy-turvy economy and drives innovation, revenue and company goals.
Here’s a look at the benefits of collaborating well in the workplace and how to master the skill.
Establish Clear Goals
A large part of mastering collaboration is healthy communication. When you are collaborating with colleagues, it’s helpful to establish clear and explicit goals. Clarity helps you and your team align on goals, as well as the purpose and vision of a project. When establishing goals, make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-restricted.
Communicate Your Intentions Clearly
If you want to improve your collaboration skills, then a great place to start is communicating your own intentions, tasks and timelines. When working on a project with team members, remember that no one can read your mind. Be clear about what work you’re doing and any hiccups along the way. This transparent communication allows your colleagues to stay looped in and know what to expect.
Prioritize Listening
Listening is essential to improving collaboration skills. This interpersonal skill enables effective teamwork and communication. When you prioritize listening to and valuing your colleagues’ ideas and struggles, you gain understanding and foster stronger work relationships.
Master the Art of Compromise
When working with your colleagues, unexpected challenges are likely to arise. When faced with challenges, it’s critical to know how to compromise. Mastering the art of compromise is the fuel to healthy workplace collaboration. You’ll have your own ideas on how to respond to challenges or reach a goal, but it’s important to consider your colleagues’ ideas as well. Work together to reach a solution where everyone’s ideas are taken into consideration.
Troubleshoot Problems
If you want to improve your collaboration skills in the workplace, you’ll need to learn how to problem solve. In any work project or initiative, roadblocks inevitably arise. Instead of allowing hiccups to derail progress, it’s important to master the art of owning mistakes and work together toward solutions. Collaboration in the face of challenges might look like brainstorming solutions, tracking progress and streamlining problem-solving.