Collaboration in the Workplace

Collaboration in the Workplace

Even though some individuals are not willing to share their skills, and expertise in collaboration, successful collaboration within a group as a necessary career skill is sometimes viewed as the most productive method of accomplishing a task, and there are many advantages to collaboration on projects.

Teamwork exists when individuals collaborate to work toward a common goal. Our society is beginning to view the ability successfully to collaborate within a group as a necessary career skill. Many advantages exist to using collaboration on projects. Although teamwork is generally viewed as the most productive way of accomplishing a task, this is not always the case and disadvantages to teamwork can also be found. When beginning a project advantages and disadvantages to the use of teamwork should be considered to establish the best course of action for project completion.

Collaboration

Collaboration is the process by which two or more parties work to gather towards one common objective. There is a saying which goes like this, there is strength in numbers. The outcome of the union may be for the benefit of one or both parties. There may be varying degrees of benefits which are derived by each party.

Collaboration as defined by the Oxford Dictionary means, to work jointly or to work together. When resources are pooled together and cooperation exists in the workplace, we are strengthening our skills and simultaneously enhancing our goals and objectives. Companies today have clearly defined mission statements which specifically outline the objectives of the businesses they wish to operate. In order for these mission statements to be actualized there must be collaboration amongst all parties and departments within the respective business establishments. Individuals must be willing to share their ideas, skills and expertise in order for the business to maximize its full potentials.

Collaboration works best in an environment that is so structured that there is direct relationship between management, human resources and the ordinary members of the labor force. Management cannot expect to be aloof, rude, disrespectful and insensitive to its workers. There needs to be a working relationship amongst all parties involved, because they all need each other in order to succeed. All parties should be sensitized to all the policies of the business and what the business aims at achieving.

This sense of awareness will allow the workers to create that level of affinity with the company and make the workers develop a sense of commitment since they believe that they are also stake-holders in the company. Employers will also want to put aside their own petty interests and egos and work towards a single objective; the enhancement of the business.

Teamwork

Teamwork is a pre-requisite in the workplace today and has become the watch word for many companies. T.E.A.M. simply means Together Each Achieves More. However, if there is a lack of collaboration not only will relationships become strained, but trust amongst workers will disappear and production level and problem solving will also be affected.

Collaboration in the workplace will give that specific business an edge over its competitors. Workers will be loyal, and will want to protect the sensitive aspects of their business ventures from their competitors. Management alone does not possess all the answers to the problems that may arise in the workplace. Therefore, a variety of ideas which can come from the workforce can serve to give a competitive push against their competitors. By collaborating workers will learn to respect each other's opinions, skills and expertise. Individualism and selfishness has no place in the modern workplace today. As a result collaboration is important for the success of any business. Collaboration also serves to boost the morale of the workplace. As individuals learn to work together, greater bonds are created and workers feel more confident working in the environment and in a subtle way this can increase productivity.

When there is a shared level of trust, employees will be far more willing to contribute their expertise. If individuals collaborate, then the work environment will become conducive to levels of respect and acceptance. This will create an atmosphere in which, employees will be able to work and share ideas without being fearful of competition and intimidation as any achievement will be credited to the team and not the individual.

Utilizing Individual Strengths within a Team

Coach Phil Jackson of the Chicago Bulls once said, "The strength of the team is each individual member...the