Session led by Jayne Cronlund

Collaboration vs. egos

Need vision of an outcome that all can see

One person usually drives collaboration - leadership and facilitation - whispering in the ear of other leaders

Group needs to define the standards and guidelines of operating

Hold the group accountable to the rules

Things that don't work

• egos
• private/secret agenda
• "What's in it for me?"
• Personal issues - come up a lot in group collaboration
• Fear of hurting someone's feelings

What does work

• Lay groundwork with individuals before meetings
• Need a leader or facilitator - can rotate leader?
• Safe space for people to express themselves

Collaboration can make change happen fast and efficiently - needs to be fast-paced

Can we prefer effective over efficient? What's the vision and how do we accomplish it.

How do you make a safe space?

• Ask the group how they would like to reveal this.
• Check in at the start of the meeting (verbal or written), e.g. ask the group to share a positive success before the meeting - builds momentum, energizes
• Ask for minutes of silence during a meeting - calibrate the group, get everyone on the same page
• Music or play before the meeting, shift the side of the brain with kinesthetic activities
• Break groups into smaller pieces
• Make people express another person's idea

Disclose, bring personal issues or circumstances to surface as soon as possible - get it out of the way and move on