1. An Uplifting Work Environment
Your organization’s culture is arguably the most important factor when it comes to collaboration. When you have a culture where people can communicate without the fear of judgment, more ideas begin to flow. So, focus on building an environment where people share ideas, support one another’s ideas, and give valuable feedback on improving the ideas. Make sure the leaders are appreciating the efforts and initiatives by the employees. Here is how you build a strong organizational culture.
2. Brainstorming Sessions
Conduct brainstorming sessions every week. Discuss what’s working for a particular process and how you can leverage the learning to other parallels. Discuss how you can do better in other aspects. Let the ideas flow in, without criticism. Encourage people to pitch in. Build up on the interesting ideas. Talk about the thinking patterns and approaches. Brainstorming sessions are a fascinating way to introduce better collaboration and innovation at the same time.
3. Communicating Expectations
If you are putting forth a team to collaborate on a particular task or a project, make sure you are communicating your expectations from the group. Tell them why they are doing it and what purpose it serves. And remember, communicate expectations and the purpose, not the “how to” of it. Let them work on ideas and find their own best possible method. You can then guide them on a better tactical approach, but do not micromanage or impose your methods.
4. Assess their strengths to find collaborators
Every person has a certain personality or working style. Some people collaborate with some easier than others. As a leader, you must assess their strengths and accordingly group them as collaborators. Do not include people with the same skill set for a single project. Diversify your group’s strength and let them work their magic. SimuRise offers some powerful Talent Assessments that are AI-assisted and game-based, thereby evaluating the real talent and skills of your people.
5. Automate Everyday Tasks
As you automate your everyday, repetitive tasks for the team, it frees up time for them to think. It then boosts their creative abilities and makes them brainstorm more ideas. It leads to better collaboration and higher employee morale as well.
6. Collaborative Sessions
One of the most powerful ways to induce stronger collaboration is to conduct sessions focused on collaboration. It could include engaging leadership offsites, unique strategy meets, or just a standalone session on enhancing teamwork. No, it must NOT be a PowerPoint presentation from your HR or L&D team on the importance of collaboration. Rather, it could be an inspiring game-based learning experience that helps them learn with a different approach. It helps them blow off some steam, bond as a team, and learn new mindsets. One of the finest examples of a collaborative business simulation is The Search For The Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine.
As a leader, how do you ensure better collaboration in your teams? We would absolutely love to hear from you. Drop us a mail with the best practices you have learned over the years.
