DISHA PM Training- Module 2

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 What is Collaboration at workplace?

Collaboration is said to take place when two individuals or a group of people work together towards
achieving a common goal by sharing their ideas and skills. In simple words it is a team work taken to a
higher level.

Ever wonder why collaboration is important?

Saying goes "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
 Collaboration Vs Cooperation : Identifying the correct dynamic

In many organizations, teams usually interact in two ways : through collaboration or cooperation

Cooperation means that everyone in the organization is working alongside one another towards ultimate
goal – company’s common success. You will find people exchanging information and resources, but
ultimately working as a group of individuals toward a number of independent goals.

Organization may achieve their goals, but those achievements are the result of individual efforts, rather
than a unified team effort.

In contrast, a collaborative setting involves a group of people working

collectively toward a shared goal.
Rather than exchanging information and resources, team members are
sharing- meaning no one individual ever pulls ahead of the pack, and
success of each individual is entirely a success of all.
 Key Collaboration Skills

• Show respect and value for the skills, experiences, creativity, and contributions
of group members
• Adhere to leadership and decision making guidelines
• Embrace diversity
• Listen to and acknowledge the feelings, concerns, opinions, and ideas of
others
• Share credit for good ideas with group members
• Assist others in solving problems and achieving team goals
• In a respectful manner, give and receive opinions and feedback from group
members
• Define problems and disagreements in a firm, but non-threatening manner
• Support the efforts and final decisions the team even if not in total agreement
Have you demonstrated this quality?

Please share an instance

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT2TQGFWcko
 Are you influencing your Stakeholders/Customers?

When we recently asked few of the Project Managers “What are they doing to get support and buy in”?

With a puzzled look they said, “Its always been same and doubt it will ever change”

Whether you are leading a program, or a challenging project, you may feel there’s nothing you can do.

We encourage you to press on, identify and assess your stakeholders. Work with others to develop a
plan to engage and influence the key stakeholders.
 Ways to engage your Stakeholders/Customers for better
collaboration
• Identify Stakeholders Early : You cant engage stakeholders until you know who
they are
• Seek to understand before being understood : People want to know that you
really want to hear their perspective first.
• Listen, really listen : Part of understanding is making time to sit face-to-face,
when possible. Ask probing questions.
• Lead with Integrity : Meaningful engagement requires trust. Say what you mean,
mean what you say and then do what you said you would do.
• Work with your team : The best Managers work with their stakeholders to break
down their projects into deliverables and tasks. This helps everyone to have a
better understanding of the project.
• Manage Expectations : Each of your stakeholders has expectations, sometimes
false expectations. Working with your team will clarify many of these aspects
• Communicate, communicate, Communicate : 90% of our job is communication.
Develop and ,maintain a communication plan. Communication can be through
variety of channels
 Game changing examples of Collaboration

Spotify and Uber :

Back in 2014 the two companies announced that they were going into partnership and collaborating in a way that would boost both of
their brands. The partnership meant that those who had ordered an Uber could connect their Spotify account from the Uber profile
screen, then select songs from any of their Spotify playlists while waiting for their Uber to arrive. Then, when their ride pops up, they
simply jump in the car, put their phone away and their chosen playlist begins.

Amazon and Apple :

Amazon (Kindle) and Apple (iPad) established an agreement in 2007 to allow the distribution of Amazon e-books through an iPad -
Kindle App, allowing one party to gain a wider market while the other became a more comprehensive content provider.

What can we learn? No matter how far in front or ahead of the curve you are, collaborating with
others can always give you ideas.

Perhaps its even time for all of us to start looking for development opportunities for our
own organization through collaboration
What’s your
collaboration
strategy?
Team Building Activities
 Mine Field
Use some empty space and fill it up with obstacles or ”mines” like office chairs, desks, balloons, water
bottles, etc. Divide your team into pairs where one is blindfolded. The sighted person must guide their
partner to the end of the room without touching the mines. This activity builds trust and improves
communication between team members.

Back to Back Drawing

Teams are divided into pairs, with each pair sitting with their backs touching. One person is given a
shape and the other a sheet and a pen. The person holding the image must give verbal instructions to
their partner as to how to draw the image without telling them what the image or shape is. This activity
focuses on listening and collaborating skills of the team. The pair with the best image replica wins.