What does it actually mean when we say we need to “be more collaborative”?

Without a clear definition, collaboration can become a catch-all term for everything from interacting on Slack to working together on a six-month cross-functional project. So it can sometimes feel forced rather than creating real value. We know that good collaboration is good for business – it brings new ideas, innovation and efficiency. It’s good for us too – we use our unique skills, learn from each other, and do better work. But knowing that doesn’t mean it’s easier to make happen in practice. And it’s become more challenging in a world of constant change, hybrid and remote teams, and more complexity. We often mistake collaboration as a personality trait, or something that happens by magic. In fact, it’s a design choice. When a team is specific about how they work together – what to collaborate on, when, and what needs to be in place – it’s far more likely to succeed.

In this session, we’ll unpack what actually makes collaboration work and how to design it into your team – whether you are a leader or not – so that you get the results you need.

What we’ll cover:

• How to create the environment and foundations for better team collaboration.
• The habits that make collaboration easier, at both individual and team level.
• Practical techniques that support collaborative working, including meeting formats, information sharing and communication methods.
• How to adapt your approach for co-located, hybrid or remote teams.

Why is it important for people to learn this skill?

Research from Asana shows that 55% of workers in collaborative organisations reported revenue growth in the last three years, and 79% of workers at collaborative organisations feel well-prepared to adapt to emergent business challenges. Yet workers also state that 86% of workplace failures are due to a lack of collaboration. (Zippia, 2023). Effective collaboration isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s the foundation of innovation, performance and growth in our businesses.

Who is this relevant for?

This is relevant for anyone (both leaders and team members) who wants to make collaboration work.

About the Subject Matter Expert

Alison Coward is the founder of Bracket, a consultancy that helps forward-thinking organisations build high-performing collaborative team cultures. She is a team culture strategist, workshop facilitator, trainer, keynote speaker and author of “Workshop Culture: a guide to building teams that thrive” and “A Pocket Guide to Effective Workshops”. Clients include: Google, Meta, Wellcome and the V&A. With 20 years’ experience working in, leading and facilitating creative teams, Alison is passionate about finding the balance between creativity and productivity so that teams can collaborate effectively and do their best work together. Learn more about Alison Coward and her work here https://bracketcreative.co.uk/about/