Collaborative Advantage

We live our lives and conduct our business in an increasingly connected and interdependent world. The digitization of information along with common standards for technology and business have helped spread knowledge so that work can be conducted anywhere. Trade is essential for economic survival, let alone growth. Boundaries are defined and re-defined based on the objective at hand. Successfully working within these shifting networks of activity and innovation requires the ability to collaborate.

Collaborative Myths

Collaboration is a behavior that is poorly understood, thus it is hard to get it right. It is often considered to be the same as cooperation or teamwork. Cooperation and teamwork can be done grudgingly. Collaboration requires the giving of one’s knowledge, insight, and resources and thus cannot be forced.

There are three myths about collaboration that prevent it from being the purposeful, strategic behavior that it is.

• Collaboration is being nice and getting along with coworkers
• Collaboration is either on or off
• People know how to work within networks

The Rhythm of Business defines collaboration as a

Purposeful, strategic way of working that leverages the resources of each party for the benefit of all by coordinating activities and communicating information within an environment of trust and transparency.

Collaborative networks are how work gets done. The ability to collaborate is as important as an organization’s core competency. Few organizations possess that ability. Those that do, have a competitive advantage over rivals.