How do you foster collaboration and innovation in a low power distance environment?

In today's high-tech era, it is easy to become distracted by different resources. Too many applications, news channels, and other notifications easily distract you and capture your attention. It is important to avoid all noise around you when practicing active listening. - Turn off your app's notifications. - Make sure your phone is in silent mode. - Inform others in your immediate environment that this meeting is important to you and that you cannot be distracted during the conversation, especially if you work from home. - Take notes during the meeting, and ask questions if you need clarification. - Acknowledge and praise suggestions by honoring the sources of those ideas.

Active listening is an essential skill that involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said. It can be particularly effective in LPD environments. In fact, it not only promotes a culture of mutual respect and open communication but also paves the way for enhanced creativity, better problem-solving, stronger team relationships, reduced misunderstandings, and continuous learning and growth.

It may seem that active listening is only about listening per se, but in fact, it's also about back channeling ("yes", "right", "I hear what you say"), visual contact, nods and appreciative facial expressions.

Avoid talent and leadership silos. Create effective systems and processes for collaboration and a protocol for remaining consistent. An open work environment where all talent feel comfortable sharing will drive innovation and create a climate where it is okay to make mistakes.

Establish a regular schedule for feedback sessions. Depending on the nature of the work and team dynamics, these could be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency is vital to ensuring that everyone knows they will have an opportunity to share their thoughts. By doing this, you create a psychologically safe environment that is essential in LPD cultures.

It is important though to consider feedback culture in your specific team or organization: in some LPD cultures it is very acceptable to provide negative feedback publicly, and in the others it is only ok to provide feedback during one-on-one meetings/calls.

Encouraging open dialogue, promoting a flat organizational structure, and providing opportunities for feedback are key strategies. Celebrating diversity and leading by example also play crucial roles in creating a collaborative and innovative team dynamic.

I've implemented having team members take a communication style survey, like the DISC assessment or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, to identify their preferred communication methods. After completing the evaluation, I hold a team session to discuss the results, fostering understanding and team-building. I then use this insight to create communication guidelines that respect and accommodate various styles, whether direct, detailed, or empathetic. This approach ensures effective interaction and a cohesive team environment.

Pay attention not only to gender or racial diversity, but to the so called contextual diversity as well. That means, the socio/economic/political backgrounds of places where we have spent our formation years have also played huge role in shaping our perceptions and could greatly contribute to team work, especially when it comes to product management, innovation or marketing.

One tenet of participatory leadership is having community stakeholders at the table, which means involving those traditionally with the least power, the most marginalized voices doing the most direct work at the "bottom of the food chain," in the decision-making process.

Focusing on collaboration and innovation in a low power distance environment, where hierarchy is minimally emphasized, can greatly benefit from embracing diversity and inclusion. Multiple studies found that diverse teams are more innovative and make better decisions up to 87% of the time. To capitalize on this in a low power distance setting, create a culture where different ideas and perspectives are accepted and actively sought. Bring team members from all levels to contribute their insights and experiences. Make traditionally with the least power accountable in the decision-making process. This approach ensures a rich variety of viewpoints, and it improves creative problem-solving.

It's crucial to establish a culture of open sharing of information and resources within the team. Implement a centralized platform or system where team members can easily access and contribute knowledge, documents, and tools. Regularly encourage and remind team members to update and check this repository. This practice not only streamlines workflows but also ensures that all team members are on the same page and can leverage the collective knowledge and resources of the group, leading to more informed decision-making and innovative solutions.

In a low power distance environment, foster collaboration and innovation by celebrating both successes and failures. Recognize achievements, learn from mistakes, and encourage open feedback. This creates a safe space for creativity and continuous improvement.