Leading in a Collaborative World

Collaboration n. 1.The act of working together; united labour. 2.The act of willingly cooperating with an enemy, especially an enemy nation occupying one’s own country.

Collaboration A collaboration is a purposeful relationship in which all parties strategically choose to cooperate in order to accomplish a shared outcome. Because of its voluntary nature, the success of a collaboration is dependent upon one or more collaborative leader’s ability to maintain these relationships.

Collaborative Leadership Collaborative leadership is the skilful and mission- oriented management of relevant relationships. Collaborative leaders do this by building structures to support and sustain these productive relationships over time.

“Collaboration needs a different kind of leadership; it needs leaders who can safeguard the process, facilitate interaction and patiently deal with high levels of frustration” Rosabeth Moss Kanter Collaborative Leadership

Talk about the most collaborative leader you have experienced. What were their skills? What impact did they have on others? What results did they achieve? Collaborative Leadership

Five Qualities of Collaborative Leaders Willingness to take risks Eager listeners Passion for the cause Optimistic about the future Able to share knowledge, power and credit Carter

Ten Key Lessons for a Successful Collaborative Leader 1.Find the personal motive for collaborating 2.Find ways of simplifying complex situations for your people 3.Prepare for how you are going to handle conflict well in advance 4.Recognise that there are some people or organisations you just can’t partner with 5.Have the courage to act for the long term

Ten Key Lessons for a Successful Collaborative Leader 6.Actively manage the tension between focusing on delivery and on building relationships. 7.Invest in strong personal relationships at all levels. 8.Inject energy, passion and drive into your leadership style. 9.Have the confidence to share the credit generously. 10.Continually develop your interpersonal skills, in particular: empathy, patience, tenacity, holding difficult conversations, and coalition building.

We lead from where we stand

From Judger to Learner Mindsets Judger Judgmental (of self and/or others) Reactive and automatic Blame “Know-it-all” Inflexible and rigid Either/or thinking Self-righteous Learner Accepting (of self and others) Responsive and thoughtful Responsibility Values not-knowing Flexible and adaptive Both/and thinking Inquisitive

From Judger to Learner Mindsets Judger Personal perspective only Defends assumptions Possibilities seen as limited Primary mood: protective Learner Considers perspectives of others Questions assumptions Possibilities seen as unlimited Primary mood: curious We all have both mindsets, and we have the power to choose where we operate from in any moment.

From Judger to Learner Relationships Judger Win-lose relationships Debates Feels separate from others/self Fears differences Feedback perceived as rejection Learner Win-win relationships Dialogues Feels connected with others/self Values differences Feedback perceived as worthwhile

From Judger to Learner Relationships Judger Listens for: Differences Right/wrong Agree/disagree Seeks to attack or defend Learner Listens for: Commonalities Facts Understanding Seeks to resolve and create We all relate from both mindsets, and we have the power to choose how we relate in any moment.

The Steps towards Collaboration 1.Cultivate a shared vision right from the start... Even if it’s vague. 2.Carefully recruit the right mix to reach your stakeholders and decision-makers. 3.Pay close attention to: Sustaining momentum Engaging perspectives and addressing the process and needs of each individual partner.

4.Ensure that each partner’s individual and institutional self-interests are served by both the process and results of the collaboration. 5.Don’t waste time. Meetings must be efficient and productive; management must be lean and driven. Remember: for everyone else this is no more than a second priority.

6.Keep in touch. Make the collaboration a regular event. Develop clear roles and responsibilities for participants (even if these roles and responsibilities regularly shift among partners). Recognise that it is easier and better received to cancel a meeting or remove a responsibility than it is to add a meeting or responsibility to participants’ lives.

Get commitment from all participants to ensure full each time you meet – time wasters stifle creativity, productivity and commitment. 7.All collaboration is personal. “inter-institutional collaboration” is a common misnomer. Effective collaboration happens between people – one person at a time.

Reflection What’s your role in collaboration?