by Welcoming the thoughts and insights of others, collaborating, helps us become better. By doing so, we create an environment where all of us have a voice. Great people are integral to consistent, high-level performance. Great people want their voice to be heard. A culture that genuinely encourages, even demands, collaboration attracts and keeps the best people. Only one team member makes the final decision, but every member has a voice.
Win-wins are a result of active and engaged collaboration. Collaboration is all about creating win-wins. Because of this, when we collaborate, we get better results. Collaboration eliminates silos and so leverages the full power of the organization.
Encouraging others to speak up and then really listening shows respect. It treats others as we would want to be treated. Who doesn’t want this? Everything about collaboration creates win-wins for the team and its members. It makes us better than we would otherwise be and helps us grow.
IF we choose to reach out daily to seek better solutions to our everyday challenges through collaboration with our direct reports, our peers, those in other areas of our company, our leaders and even those outside our organization, we perform better. Tapping into the appropriate resources necessary for a better decision is how a company chalks up more wins. We want a better solution — and when we find it, where it comes from, who it comes from matters not for we all win. A culture that encourages and rewards this behavior is one the best of the best want to be a part of.
Collaboration is about asking questions, really listening to suggestions and the opinions of others, and then asking more questions in the pursuit of improvement. This process will inform and likely change our preconceived notion. A better result than we would otherwise have is the payoff.
Each day we have the opportunity, as leaders, to engage in the collaborative process. The more often each of us does, the better our choice. These small wins aggregate to create positive momentum and growth. The process is important. Having quality people abiding by and contributing to the process is critical. We must have a team of quality individuals that challenge us with their ideas and opinions if we are to be our best.
Your team is your responsibility. If you are not happy with a player, commit to do all that you can to improve their performance. If it is just not happening, if they are not “a fit,” then accept and embrace this reality. We are not doing them nor our team any favors by allowing them to remain.
Collaboration and results improve with better people. Better people want to collaborate. The process is one thing. The people are another. You must have both to maximize your potential. If either is mediocre, expect results to be the same.
Sometimes clients criticize us, sometimes fellow associates question us, sometimes vendor partners make suggestions that might make us better; in each case, we are presented with an opportunity to open our mind and genuinely listen and assess. We are obligated to consider what is being said and then decide our next step while ALWAYS keeping in mind the singular goal is to simply become better — nothing else. If you think you have all the answers, then becoming better is not in your future. To avoid taking action or to not even listen, out of insecurity or a ”know it all” attitude, is no way to become better. To avoid change because it is uncomfortable is no way to become better. To avoid suggestions because we see them as threats is no way to become better. Making any of these choices, yielding to our Personal Noise, simply closes our mind and stunts our growth. Stop Your Noise and then naturally Be Your Best.
Collaboration helps us become better and grow. Assemble, build and maintain a great team by including each team member’s voice in the process. As your team improves, so will your results. Collaboration provides a firm foundation from which to build a great team.
Collaborate. It will make you and your team better than you would otherwise be.
Eric Easter is CEO of Indianapolis-based Kittle’s Furniture.
