What is collaboration at work?

Collaboration at work can be described as working together with one or more people to complete a task or project. Teams of employees will work together for one clear outcome, making sure that the project or task is done efficiently and with all available resources.

By creating opportunities for collaboration at work, companies are able to pool their talent so that the best of the best are working together on one large project. This can allow a project to be done in an efficient manner as having more people working together on one task can speed up the process. Also, collaboration at work can allow for team members to bring together their many talents meaning the most talented workers will pool their resources for the common good.

Another aspect of collaboration in the workplace that is of benefit to the organization is the relationships that are built within the team. When workers come together for a particular task, they are able to bond with each other which can have a positive impact on the overall office environment. When coworkers bond, they will be more willing to encourage each other when faced with a difficult task and might teach each other skills that the other might not have.

In other words, collaboration at work can foster a trusting relationship between employees in which there is a skill transfer that is beneficial to the entire company. When skills are transferred freely like this, there is less need for formal training for newer employees as they can learn while on the job.

Creating opportunities for employees to collaborate at work can help create a positive work environment and both employees and employers leave the experience happy. Before we create these opportunities though, we must look at what makes a successful team.

What makes a successful work collaboration

In order for collaboration at work to be successful, you need to think about the team members and the skills they bring. You want to select team members that will allow for a successful group dynamic in which everyone is able to contribute equally.

Some of the interpersonal skills that you should look for in team members are:

• good communication
• ability to compromise
• able to handle negative feedback
• empathy for others
• active listening skills
• able to problem solve
• accountability

With the above skills, the team member selected for collaboration at work will be able to do their job while also keeping the peace within the group.

When working with others, it is inevitable that some friction will come up. These frictions can get in the way of good collaboration at work if not handled right. For example, if two members of the team are constantly in disagreement, they can slow down the process with their debates. If there is someone on that team that can calmly keep everyone on track, then you do not have to worry about the project being finished on time.

Picking team members that work well together can be essential to creating a productive team. Make sure to spend some time evaluating your workers and their interpersonal skills before selecting them for work collaboration. By doing this, you are more likely to pick employees that will be able to work together easily, making finishing the project not a problem.

Benefits of collaboration at work

The following are some of the benefits of collaboration at work:

Pooling Resources

When bringing employees together to work on a project, you are able to combine their talents. This means that each employee brings their own talents and resources to the group which makes the group stronger and more likely to succeed. Every employee has their own unique skills, so having collaboration in the workplace, these unique skills are able to work together to become more efficient.

Increases Efficiency

Having more than one person work on a project means that work can get done at a faster pace as each individual task can be given to different employees. This is obviously beneficial as it means that the workload is spread across the group and team members can focus on their individual tasks. Feeling less overwhelmed with work means less stress and there is an improved attitude in the office. This feeling can spread outside of the group too meaning all workers are able to increase their productivity.

Coaching Culture

Creating opportunities for collaboration at work will allow employees to bond with each other which will make them more likely to want to help their colleagues learn new skills. For example, if a group incorporates more experienced workers with newer employees, people who might not normally socialize will get to know each other and become friendly. This means that if the newer employee needs help with a certain aspect of their job, the experienced worker will be more likely to offer to help simply from the goodness of their heart. Creating relationships between workers can have a positive impact on office dynamics which benefits the organization.

Related: How to Build an Effective Coaching Culture

Promotes Employee Retention

When work collaboration is encouraged and bonds between employees are strengthened, you will automatically see higher retention rates. People are less likely to leave a workplace where they have friends as they will enjoy their work more and want to continue their friendships. Having high employee retention rates means that there is less money being spent on recruitment and the benefit of having collaboration in the workplace becomes obvious.

When looking through the above benefits, it becomes obvious as to why organizations choose to implement collaboration at work.

How to build collaboration at work

Building an environment of collaboration at work takes time, but is well worth the effort. By following these tips, you can successfully create a collaborative workplace.

Set Clear Goals for The Team

When giving a team a project or task, make sure there is a clear goal or outcome of the work so that everyone knows what they are working towards. This will keep the team motivated throughout the process.

Encourage Active Listening

Make sure that team members are encouraged to really listen to each other during their meetings and discussions. Each member should feel free to ask questions for clarification so that the team stays on the same page. This will keep conflict to a minimum.

Use Collaboration Technology

Make sure that the team has access to collaboration software that allows them to see the progress of other members of the team. This will allow them to communicate more easily and stay on track.

Promote Accountability

Make sure that someone on the team is in charge of taking notes during the meetings. That way people are less likely to forget what was agreed upon during a meeting and the team can go back to the notes when discussing particular aspects of the project.

Focus on Finding Solutions

Try to encourage the team to focus on finding solutions instead of getting hooked up on what is not working. When working towards solutions there is a more positive atmosphere created as there is a focus on the positives rather than the negatives.

Allow for Adaptation

Make sure the team knows that they can adapt the process according to what works best for them. Allow them to feel ownership over the project so that there is a sense of accountability and pride in their work.

Recognize and Reward Employees for their Efforts

It is important to recognize the group for a job well done. Make sure that others on staff know about the project and allow the team to present their work during a staff meeting. That way they can feel proud of their work and be acknowledged for a job well done. This type of recognition will make people more likely to want to work on a team the next time an opportunity arrives.

By using the above tips, you can create a space in which teamwork is an enjoyable experience for those involved meaning your employees will be happy to be part of a collaborative workplace.

Related: Team Building Tips and Activities to Boost Employee Morale and Engagement