Page 27 - May 2019 Voices

Leadership in a collaborative group is context Another aspect that causes collaboration to break
dependent. Temporary leaders will surface down is that members don’t understand what
when and as needed for specific tasks. People are collaboration is or think that collaboration and
flexible and easily adapt to temporary leaders. teamwork are the same.

Collaborative people become emotionally Collaboration is a continuous autonomous
attached to achieving the shared goal, as a process. If you want to establish a collaborative
group—not as individuals. They’ll work hard as culture, you’ve got a lot of work—it’s not as easy
a group to achieve it, even if the members of the as it sounds. What you should do is evaluate

group do not fully agree with the goal or vision. your group’s current process, identifying where
Collaborators trust each other, respect the group exhibits cooperation, teamwork, and
the opinions of each other, and engage in collaboration. Train the group on the differences
negotiations to achieve the final goal. The best between collaboration and teamwork, and how

collaborators are flexible. Flexibility is the key to to operate as a group without an authoritative
effective collaboration. Collaborators are willing group leader.
to wear many hats, putting on which ever hat is Jim (Jimmy) Dent joined Toastmasters in
needed to meet the goal of the group. April 2010. He is a member of 2 online clubs,

If you’ve ever seen a group that automatically and 4 regular clubs. He has been a member in
moves forward in their progress when Districts 58, 37, 3, 11, 25, 26, U, and now District
key members are away, you’ve witnessed a 7 during the past 9 years. Jim has also served
collaborating group operate. as Area Governor 3 times and held several other

district roles. He has presented at various TLI’s
How can collaboration fail? and district conferences. He has earned his DTM

Where collaboration breaks down is when twice and expects to earn his Pathways DTM in
group members are inflexible with their own the next 6 months.

contribution or responsibilities—they want to This article was originally published in 2017 on
be “team members” not “collaborators”. People LinkedIn. It’s reprinted here by permission.
who cannot move out of the “My Job – Your
Job” mindset can destroy a collaborative effort.

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