Collabo-resistance?

Can't collaborative engagement be more prevalent at the workplace?

‘The act of working together to create something’ is the Oxford dictionary's definition of

collaboration. Based on my experience with global matrix organizations, collaboration spans

individuals, functions, processes, and locations to create alignment and momentum in

pursuit of a common goal. There is evidence, in academia and industry, confirming its power

and effectiveness. The logic is sound and simple: the process delivers great result as it draws

from experiences and strengths not available while working in isolation. And provides the

added benefits of a fresh (outside?) perspective.

Despite these seemingly obvious benefits I’ve often found myself at the receiving end of

resistance to collaborate. And in most situations, where individuals hesitated to seek or

participate in collaborative efforts, the underlying factors were …

• The optics. Would a collaborative outreach be perceived as a sign of weakness or inability?

• The effort. Either on the part of the initiator to bring new stakeholders up to speed. Or the extra effort that participants had to invest toward the process.

• The fear. Of hidden gaps being exposed. Of previously discarded options being dragged back to the discussion table. Of being part of a team effort without being an expert on the topic being addressed. And of not getting individual recognition in a team effort.

I started proactively addressing these concerns in preliminary discussions. And reiterated

the message that reaching out for support signifies strength, leadership and a growth-

mindset. Really helped in getting the ball rolling for positive engagement.

I've found collaborative efforts kick-started at the working level, with low noise and

visibility, are often more effective than top-down c-suite initiatives. And tend to sustain in

the long run on account of higher participant buy-in and accountability.