Collaborative Process

If anyone wants to successfully complete group projects then good collaboration is a necessity. After reading the Collaborative Process article I thought of a good idea for a meeting or workshop.

Put some of the material on a pamphlet and leave it people’s chairs or hand it to them when they arrive at the door.

This would really give people food for thought. They will understand why they are here and what it will take from them for an encouraging result at the end of the day. Most importantly it’s a set of guidelines rather than orders for successfully working together.

I couldn’t agree more that the basic building block for success is trust. Patiently listening and analyzing what has been said seems very difficult when tensions are high or outcomes uncertain. As long as everyone feels comfortable around each other and they all share a common goal then these problems should be minimized.

The “Open Space Participation Process” and “Internalized Obstacles to Creative Collaboration” are what I had in mind to put in the pamphlet when people arrive. Common purposes are stated, everyone can see everyone when they speak, and there’s an agenda for people to follow.

By agenda I don’t mean rules but options and ideas for people to operate efficiently. I really agree with cultural conditioning and the negative effects it can have.

-Freudian drives – lower self must be subdued and disciplined by a higher, civilized self
-Puritan work ethic – your production determines your worth
-Resulting fears of imperfection and conflicted motives that prohibit initiative and inhibit needed risk taking

To undo this conditioning people must have time for:

-Meals, sleep, meetings
-Free time, recreation, leisure reading
-Socializing
-Healthy recreation, like swimming, running, tennis, etc.
-Routines, such as daily commutes, classes, medical appointments, etc.

It’s pretty obvious but these principles are overlooked far too much. It’s like that saying don’t bring your problems to work with you. That’s difficult for a lot of people including myself. If things are really tough bottling up that tension is really asking for problems. That is why you have to let off that steam and aggravation. I thought it would be great to have punching bag in a separate sound proof room for people to yell, hit, and kick all their problems aside before getting started on any kind of work. Get what was bothering them off their chest. Having some kind of recreation to get your mind and body in harmony also helps. That’s why there is Physical education, intramurals, sports leagues, pick up games and athletic fields at corporations like People are at their best when they are relaxed and their mind at ease.

These things also give interaction for people to socialized, form friendships, and form trust. People will look at one another as someone who shares common interests, ideas, and objectives. Ultimately there will be productive work and positive energy between people rather than uneasiness.