Collaboration: the Key to Unlocking Success in the Modern Workplace

Introduction

Collaboration has emerged as a cornerstone of success in the rapidly evolving world of business. This may be within single organisations or where the sheer scale of the enterprise requires previously rival businesses to come together.

In single organisations, there is a widely shared understanding that teams, working together, can achieve more significant and innovative outcomes than individuals working in isolation. In mega programmes and large bids, teams made up of people who may have been in fierce competition the week before, are being required to join forces to deliver immense objectives or put together cogent client propositions. Collaboration in the workplace is more than a trendy buzzword; it is an essential ingredient for driving growth, delivery and cultivating a positive organisational culture.

Enhanced Problem-Solving & Innovation

One of the most significant advantages of collaboration is its ability to enhance problem-solving. When people from diverse backgrounds and with varying skillsets come together, they bring unique perspectives. This diversity of thought encourages creative thinking and leads to more robust solutions for complex problems as well as improved bid proposals.

Cross-functional teams are standard in most organisations and the now long-established innovation of ‘the Programme’, designed to address this challenge and opportunity by bringing together in a temporary organisation the different skills that are needed to achieve defined outcomes.

Sporting Success Through Collaboration

The value of teamwork can of course be brilliantly illustrated in the world of sports. The sustained success of the New Zealand All Blacks, one of rugby’s most iconic teams is built not only on individual talent but on an ingrained culture of collaboration, where every player supports and trusts their team mates. They have dominated international rugby for decades, a testament to the power of shared strategy, open communication and selfless play.

Likewise, the Golden State Warriors’ rise in the NBA can be traced to their collaborative ethos. Instead of relying on a single superstar, their “strength in numbers” philosophy introduced by Head Coach Steve Kerr emphasises that individual players can leverage each other’s strengths. Their unselfish ball movement and mutual trust have led to multiple championships in recent years.

Improved Employee Engagement & Satisfaction

Workplace collaboration creates opportunities for professional growth and skill development. Employees can learn new approaches, acquire different problem-solving techniques, and broaden their knowledge base through exposure to their peers’ expertise. This continuous learning not only benefits individuals but the whole organisation.

Collaboration fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose among employees. When individuals feel that their contributions are valued and that they are part of a larger mission it can lead to a sense of psychological safety, where employees are more likely to voice their ideas, knowing they will be heard and respected. The result is a positive workplace culture that fosters innovation, as well as attracting and retaining talent. 

Commercial Success Through Collaboration

A prime example of collaboration between potentially rival businesses is the Moncler x adidas Originals which debuted in October 2023. The coming together of a luxury fashion house and sportswear giant created a fantastically commercially successful product line.

On a practical level the collaboration tools and technologies with which we have become so familiar, such as shared online workspaces and communication platforms, have streamlined teamwork, enabling people to work together seamlessly regardless of physical location.

How to achieve Collaboration?

For all its benefits, achieving collaboration is not straightforward. People within successful organisations will often be personally ambitious. They may jealously guard information, contacts; feeling they give them a personal advantage over rivals. When organisations come together to build winning bids or for delivery, there may be people in the newly formed ‘Team’ who were bitter rivals the week before.

There are some standard good practice approaches that can help, for example clear accountability, good leadership and excellent communication.

However, recently when I have been working with clients to try and either rebuild trust where teams are struggling, or create teams in very short time frames with people who work for rival businesses; the key thing that always comes across to me is that we are dealing with humans. 

The ancient and enduring concept of ‘common humanity’ may feel intuitively that it has no place in the Board Room or a commercial setting. But my experience is the complete the opposite. By carefully creating and curating a safe environment where people can genuinely meet each other, understand others’ values and drivers, genuine trust can be established creating the foundation for collaboration and success.

Collaboration is not soft; it delivers strategic advantage. It enables better responses to market changes, greater agility, continuous improvement, enhanced problem-solving, increased engagement and satisfaction, improved productivity, psychological safety and supports professional development. Collaboration helps people and organisations thrive in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world.

To achieve a collaboration culture is not straightforward. It takes courage and commitment but it can be an enormously rewarding gamechanger.