Blog by Tracy Stock, CSP

Gone are the days when leaders were expected to have all the answers and struggle alone. In the modern workplace, leadership is no longer about commanding and controlling; instead, exceptional leaders are highly skilled at collaborating—bringing people with different skills and backgrounds together to exchange ideas and perspectives in order to achieve a common goal. When leaders collaborate with their teams, they build trust and create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. This leads to better decision-making, greater innovation, increased productivity, stronger team cohesion, and a more engaged workforce—achieving desired successes along the way.

I find the concept of collaboration both fascinating and perplexing. Let me explain why.

There is a fun and creative collaboration activity I sometimes do when engaging audiences in-person. I ask them to think of three things that they really want out of life—which can be anything, from world peace, to making more money, to losing 40 pounds. They don’t need to share the three ideas; they just need to have them top-of-mind. Then I instruct everyone to find a partner, and once they have, I tell them to get into an arm-wrestling position. Next, they need to grip their opponent’s hand, palm-to-palm, and when I say “Go,” they should try to force their opponent’s hand down onto the table. The obvious goal is to get those three things you really want. When they receive the signal to start, most people do as you would expect—they use all of their strength and might and fight ‘til the bitter end. With the room erupting in laughter, and a few clear expressions of domination, I call an end to the exercise. What happens next may surprise you.

I ask the audience if there was any team, where both individuals got all three things they wanted? There are almost always a few teams who figure out the goal of the activity—and win as a team. In debrief I explain that for those teams that competed, at best only one person won. However, for teams that worked together to achieve a common goal—collaborated—they both won. Why do we feel compelled to compete individually, compete within our teams, and compete organizationally? Instead of setting competitive goals, establish collaborative ones that allow for more, if not all, team members to win. Rather than pitting one team member against another, or one department in opposition of another, choose collaboration. This way the outcome is significantly more positive, and the process lends itself to enhanced team camaraderie and far less conflict.

To foster collaboration as a leader, recognize and refine these behaviors:

Encourage Open Communication and Feedback. Create a feedback-friendly environment by regularly asking for input and acting on it. During meetings or one-on-one check-ins, ask team members specific questions like, “How can we improve our processes?” or “What’s something we could do differently?” Show that you value their opinions by being open to their feedback and implementing changes as possible. This not only promotes open communication, it demonstrates their voices are heard and have an impact—encouraging them to share more freely in the future.

Lead by Example. One of the most effective ways to develop collaboration within your team is by modeling collaborative behavior yourself. Demonstrate your willingness to work together with others, share knowledge, and support the success of your team. When team members see you embracing collaboration, they are much more likely to follow your lead.

Delegate Tasks and Encourage Meaningful Contribution. Match tasks to team members’ strengths and passions, and provide them with autonomy while offering support. As you delegate, be clear about the desired outcomes but give them the freedom to approach the task in their own way. This shows trust and allows team members to take ownership of their work. Regularly check in to offer support, but avoid micromanaging. This fosters a sense of purpose and engagement, making each contribution feel meaningful while empowering team members to take initiative.

Recognize and Reward Collaborative Behavior. Acknowledge team achievements in a way that highlights the collaborative efforts involved in them. Consider offering rewards or incentives for successful team projects. Celebrating collaborative wins inspires others to follow the example of working together toward common goals.

Invest in Team Building. Building strong relationships among team members is essential for effective collaboration. Plan regular team-building exercises or social activities that allow team members to get to know each other better. These activities can range from simple icebreakers to collaborative problem-solving games to challenging outdoor ropes courses.

Developing collaboration as a leader requires ongoing effort, self-awareness, and a commitment to empowering your team. By embracing collaboration and leading by example, you will inspire your team to work together more effectively and achieve results that wouldn’t be possible alone. Remember, leadership is not about going it alone. It’s about bringing people together to achieve common goals. The more you invest in collaboration, the more successful you—and your team—will become.