LOs are largely self-sufficient and independent professionals, but those attributes don’t affect being able to work successfully as part of a team. And however much we’re essentially running our own businesses, it’s important to see the value in collaboration and be able to work effectively with a partner or group as well as on our own. Whether it’s working with colleagues on your team, building relationships with referral partners, or even connecting with other professionals to mutually support growth, there are countless opportunities for collaboration that LOs can take advantage of to build their businesses. To get the most from collaboration, here are some things to keep in mind:
Communicate at a High Level
The success of any relationship is dictated by the level of communication between parties. High-level, transparent, clear communication helps keep relationships on the right track. It’s important to remember that communication encompasses speaking, writing, and listening. Most of us place emphasis on writing and speaking, but being an effective listener is often more important. When you actively listen, you’re present and engaged with what the speaker is saying, rather than formulating what you’ll say when they stop talking. When You approach collaboration ready to hear others’ ideas, as well as share your own, that collaborative effort has a much higher chance of success. More on how LOs can be top-notch communicators, here.
Be Curious
Collaboration is almost always an organic experience — there’s no guaranteed outcome. If you go in with immovable expectations or a firmly fixed plan, you’re likely not going to see the full benefit that can come from partnering with someone else. Alternatively, try to maintain a healthy dose of curiosity. You should definitely have some expectations, but they should be malleable. Let things happen naturally and keep an open mind. This gives the participants the freedom to be creative, which is energizing and motivating.
Create Shared Goals
As I mentioned, having a firmly fixed plan can often limit progress, but collaborations tend to operate best when there are shared goals that are well-defined. Shared goals help all parties be held (and hold themselves) accountable. Once you’ve agreed on the goals to set and work toward, continue you to check in on them regularly to ensure they’re still relevant or if they need to be modified. Identifying clear targets that you both agree on will serve to streamline the work and keep motivation high.
Establish Trust
Like communication, trust is another foundational component of every successful relationship. Collaborators need to trust their partner to feel open to sharing new ideas. They also need to trust that their co-collaborator is going to do as much work as they are. Trust also helps each party know that they have support when challenges arise. If you deliver on what you promise and treat your collaborator as an equal and a priority, then trust will come naturally. Then, with enough attention, that trust will continue to build. And as that bond continues to strengthen, you’ll find that the partnership becomes more productive.
Collaborations play an important part in long-term success in the industry, and these ideas should help you to work together with your partners with the greatest efficacy.
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