Introducing the Practice of Collaboration

Digital Marketing - Study Notes:

Collaboration is a proven way of reaching across the globe, through time-zones and cultures, to get tasks done. While collaboration is widely understood as a term, many people don’t fully understand how to perform it in practice.

Collaboration on projects

The role of the project leader

The project leader ultimately sets the tone for a new collaboration project. A common mistake to assume at the start that everyone is aware of what needs to be done, just because they have been in a collaboration previously. So from the outset, the leader should paint a picture of success for the collaborative team, and outline the ‘end-in-mind’. This should include specific details on the performance that is required from individuals and from the team, the level of input or work needed, and the project roadmap and timescale. When everyone involved in a collaboration project knows what they have to do, for whom, by when, and to what standard, they become willing and effective participants, and are on the road to a successful conclusion. 

The role of the team member

As an individual team member, you will need to establish trust between yourself and all of the various stakeholders on the project, and to demonstrate your own personal credibility. This takes work, and time, but is a vital step on the road to successful collaboration. 

Establishing trust

To help establish yourself as a trustworthy, credible collaborator, be honest with yourself, right from the start, about what you are bringing to the table. Ask yourself questions like: 

•      Do you have time to work on this collaboration project? 
•      Do you have the right skill set for the job? 
•      Do you know enough about the subject? 
•      How committed are you to the project? 
•      Can you stand over the deadline? 
•      Are you ethical and do you hold sound values? 
•      Do you have the courage to engage meaningfully with others – and to challenge people when necessary? 
•      Is there a budget and do you have access to it?
•      What authority do you have over the project? 

By answering these questions honestly, you will get a sense of how successful a collaborator you are likely to be, how credible and trustworthy your co-collaborators will find you, and what areas you need to work on. 

Maximizing credibility

From the start of the process, focus on taking concrete steps that maximize your personal credibility.

•      It is important to be open and honest in all of your communications within the wider team. Never over-promise, exaggerate, or withhold information. Always listen to different viewpoints without falling back on pre-conceived opinions or jumping to conclusions. 
•      Try to understand what knowledge or skills you are lacking. Be up-front about this with your team, while doing whatever you can in the background to gain the skills or knowledge you lack.
•      Realistically confirm your time commitments. If you only have a couple of hours a week to devote to the project, or have a three-week vacation coming up, don’t commit to working on the project full-time for a month just to keep everyone happy. Only accept tasks that you can actually complete on time and to the stated requirements. 
•      Place yourself in the position of the other stakeholders. Try to see their perspectives and the challenges that they face. If you can assist or guide them to success, then you are creating a more cohesive and trusting collaborative team that has a better chance of achieving lasting success.
•      Enjoy the collaboration process for both the learning value and social value. You should emerge from this process with a real sense of achievement, with an improved working relationship with your colleagues, and perhaps even with enhanced expertise and skills.