5 Tips for Collaboration

To some, the word collaboration makes them feel threatened. To others, it’s how they operate in life on a regular basis. But no matter what your perception of the word, in some way, shape, or form, you will eventually collaborate with someone on something. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom making brownies with your three year old (quite the task, I know…just watching the aftermath made me want to stay out of the kitchen), or a business executive planning your next acquisition, at some point you’re going to have to work with others. And it’s probably safe to assume you already have on multiple occasions.

Successfully learning how to navigate the waters of co-laboring can turn collaborative efforts into gold mines of creative output, where failing to will dig wastelands of “I’m never doing that again as long as I live.” With the reality being that if we are to be successful in life, salesman, architect, mom, musician, or pastor, embracing a few fundamental rules on the Kindergarten concept of “playing well with others” can go a long way in helping. Here are a few I’ve found to be helpful:
 
1.) Designate a Point Person
In any project, there needs to be a person with whom the proverbial (and sometimes literal) buck stops with. No Utopian communal program here. All projects need to have an executioner, the person in a place of command who says it’s done. Creative types will want to tweak it for the next twenty years, and even then it won’t be “finished,” while pragmatists will have it functional it a day (even if it is ugly as sin). In both extremes, the Point Person has the ability to prompt a team to go to greater lengths while also knowing when to put the operation to bed.

2.) Consensus, Not Unanimous
I was once taught that “unity is not uniformity.” Unity, rather, is being able to agree on the same goal, regardless of method. If your goal is to get everyone to agree, have fun. To quote Mr. Scott, “I [You] just can’t du’ it, Captain!” One of the reasons a team is strong is because they all have different opinions (at least, that’s how you should pick members of a good team when you have the opportunity). Instead, look for ways to get a consensus on a particular issue; while everyone may not be in agreement that it’s the best way to achieve the goal, they will be able to agree that it’s the most common means given the group’s diverse members.

3.) Compromise Promotes Ownership
Similar to #2, being able to relinquish your own opinions–even when they are legitimately the best–is an essential quality of good leadership. I recently heard a Christian church leader say that the only two instances they will ever interrupt someone they’ve given a task to is when the person is either not producing any results over time, or is theologically in error. While the net result may not be what you want it to be, allowing people the opportunity to let their ideas be the ones that stick ultimately promotes team unity, and therefore pride in project.
 
4.) Share Canvases Carte Blanche
Most people feel that when someone criticizes their work, they are criticizing them personally. But for those experienced with separating their personal identity from their creations, having someone analyze their efforts undoubtedly brings strength to the finished concept. Developing a smooth system of passing work back and forth, from vision to manufacturing, is also critical. When writing books with a co-author, we share one master Scrivener file; when designing graphics for a church campaign, we play PhotoShop tennis; and when writing new material for a CD, we trade MP3 files like baseball cards (with a bit less drama). In all cases, we do not “track changes,” or keep a list of what we did; the team has the ability to do whatever they want to the work. No questions asked. This ensures everyone gets a say, and as the work is passed around and around and around, it begins to become “our creation,” not “my creation.”

5.) Open Air Policy
One of the best policies that Senior Pastor Kirk Gilchrist put into place at New Life Christian Church, is a strict “open air policy.” Meaning, we say what we mean to say, and everything stays in the open. No grudges, no harboring resentment. This must be tied with a deep feeling of genuine love for the other teammates (or at least trust to some degree, if “love” is too strong a word given your situation). But knowing I can say anything about any idea is incredibly freeing, and actually lends to the efficiency and effectiveness of the collaborative process.

Remember, a better result can always be expected when you’re collaborating with people at their best, submitting their best. I deleted a few further tips (and might save them for a future post) as I didn’t feel this was supposed to be an exhaustive list, but rather something to reflect on in the midst of your current team project, or one you’re about to leap into. Read this post for more thoughts on leading teams.

What collaborative effort are you in the midst of right now?

13 Comments »

1. Well said & worth repeating (which I intend).

   Thanks.

   Comment by Charles Burge - Dec 21, 2009 @ 07:19 AM

2. Thanks, Charles! It certainly took a little repeating in my own head to finally get these straight. Glad to help. ch:

   Comment by Christopher Hopper - Dec 24, 2009 @ 05:13 AM

3. Hey, great content. Very rich, definitely has me thinking about how to approach collaboration.

   Comment by Jason Rodgers - Dec 24, 2009 @ 09:14 AM

4. Very well done hopper :) Though, I have to admit I had looked at it once afore.

   Comment by Sam - Dec 24, 2009 @ 09:43 AM

5. A lot of this reminds me of the way a internet message board I’m an administrator of is run, we have no moderators, only administrators, all of them have the ability to tweak things as they wish, etc.

   Great article! I think I’ll print it out and keep it handy.

   Small typo in this line however:  while pragmatists will have it functional it a day

   Should be “in a day”.

   Other then that, it’s great! I like the idea of a shared canvas.

   Comment by Shane Deal - Dec 24, 2009 @ 09:52 AM

6. Jason: Thanks for your encouragement, bro. Appreciate you, and can’t wait to collaborate on this new live CD recording next week!

   Sam: Rock on, Sam. Thanks for coming by.

   Shane: Thanks for the typo-alert; pesky things! I like the idea of the message board you described. Very cool indeed! A definite shared canvas.

   ch:

   Comment by Christopher Hopper - Dec 24, 2009 @ 10:31 AM

7. Really enjoyed this article!!  Well written.  More?  You have a gift to simplify and break down information into incredibly helpful and life giving “chunks” ... :)  Few things in life as rewarding and satisfying as embracing the beauitful journey of collaborating.  God’s intent for us.  We have to be intentional though. Way to go. PS: Love the photography!

   Comment by marlize duPlessis - Dec 24, 2009 @ 10:48 AM

8. Wow, Marlize. I’m honored by your words. Ngiyabonga. And yes, that’s Eva and Luik hard at work on something behind their desks. [bites finger]. So cute. Can’t wait to visit http://www.tfhny.com again soon! ch:

   Comment by Christopher Hopper - Dec 24, 2009 @ 10:58 AM

9. Chris, Thanks for the article. When I repeat I will give you the credit the first time…then it will become mine :)

   Comment by Jonnie Nickles - Dec 24, 2009 @ 11:32 AM

10. Christopher, this is some great stuff and actually extremely helpful for a message I am preparing for my senior high leaders called “own it!” I lead worship for Fuse, the junior high ministry at The Father’s House in Rochester and my team is comprised if mainly sr. Highers and I feel like the next step for them is a feeling if ownership. If it feels like the team is as much theirs as it is mine, the will be more likely to produce good results.

    Mitch

    Comment by Mitch VanDenBerghe - Dec 24, 2009 @ 03:12 PM

11. Great piece, Christopher! As the coauthor of Curse of the Spider King and Venom & Song with you, I can attest that you live what you preach. Neither one of us had cowritten a book prior to these, and I’d have to say the process has been smooth, if not perfect. I think catering to our strengths by taking on responsibilities that are in our individual “sweet spots” has helped. You’re amazing with social networking and Internet communication, so you’ve done a great job running our fansite: http://www.heedtheprophecies.com! And since I’ve had experience running grand scale contests online, I took the Tribebuilding Game. The division of labor has worked out very well.

    Hope we have a few more coauthored books in us.

    Endurance and Victory

    -W

    Comment by Wayne Thomas Batson - Dec 24, 2009 @ 03:41 PM

12. Jonnie: I hear that! But me being guilty of that…? Ummm, no! Never! ;)

    Mitch: That sounds awesome man! What fun! Great application there. Let me know how it turns out.

    Wayne: I couldn’t agree more. (And thanks for your words of affirmation). I think co-writing with you has really helped me develop these five steps in my own personal arsenal of leadership skills a lot. I’ve had so much for co-creating this series with you!

    ch:

    Comment by Christopher Hopper - Dec 26, 2009 @ 01:26 PM

13. ch:

    This is an excellent summary of the main and essential ingredients of an ultimate team.  I couldnt help but be reminded of the scripture passage which tells us that “one can put a thousand to flight, but two can move ten thousand…”.  You’ve given some great insight on how to leverage the God given talents each of us possess, proving once again that God operates in the law of multiplication and not simply addition.  Well stated, thank you for sharing your insight and giftings. Bless you.

    Greg

    Comment by greg glovins - Dec 28, 2009 @ 06:31 PM

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