In an age where it is especially important for companies to get work done faster than their competitors, good collaboration skills are crucial. Some people are natural collaborators, while others prefer to work independently. Nonetheless, there is always room for development.
Here are a few easy ways of developing collaboration skills:
Ensure effective communication
Without communication, there is no collaboration. When communicating with others, always take their feelings and way of thinking into account. Continuously ask if everyone understands and ensure the whole team is on the same page. Express ideas as clearly as possible to avoid misunderstandings.
No negativity!
When talking to a group, avoid bringing up anything negative, such as criticism. If negative comments are made about you, stay calm and never get defensive. Address them professionally, and recognize that often times, people may get negative emotions because of something that’s going on in their personal lives.
Focus on moving forward
Sometimes, excess ideas and off-topic discussions will emerge during the course of a project. Stay on tangent and put the focus back on the project as soon as you feel it going off-course. Keep progress moving forward and motivate the team to work towards the project’s goal.
Encourage everyone to work together
Give people the opportunity to work together and and try to connect team members who otherwise would not have the chance to work together. Frequent sit-down or stand-up meetings help encourage teamwork.
Keep everyone updated
Share your work in progress and keep the whole team updated every step of the way. Share ideas and tips, and ask for help if needed.
Got more tips on developing collaboration skills? Share them with us!
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