What do you do if your colleagues in an Office Administration role are resistant to collaboration?

1 Identify the barriers

The first step is to understand why your colleagues are reluctant to collaborate with you. There may be various reasons, such as lack of trust, unclear expectations, different work styles, personal issues, or competing priorities. Try to empathize with their perspective and find out what their concerns or needs are. You can do this by asking open-ended questions, listening actively, and giving constructive feedback. By identifying the barriers, you can also avoid making assumptions or taking things personally.

2 Focus on the common goals

The next step is to remind your colleagues of the common goals and benefits of collaboration. You can do this by highlighting how working together can help you achieve better results, save time and resources, and improve your skills and knowledge. You can also use positive language and examples to show how collaboration has helped you or others in the past. By focusing on the common goals, you can also create a sense of shared purpose and motivation.

3 Adjust your approach

The third step is to adjust your approach to suit your colleagues' preferences and needs. You can do this by being flexible, respectful, and supportive. For example, you can adapt your communication style, use different tools or methods, delegate tasks or responsibilities, or offer help or guidance. You can also acknowledge your colleagues' strengths, contributions, and opinions, and show appreciation and recognition. By adjusting your approach, you can also build rapport and trust.

4 Seek support

The fourth step is to seek support from others when you face difficulties or challenges with collaboration. You can do this by reaching out to your manager, mentor, or peers for advice, feedback, or assistance. You can also use available resources, such as training, coaching, or mentoring programs, to improve your collaboration skills and confidence. By seeking support, you can also learn from others' experiences and perspectives.

5 Resolve conflicts

The fifth step is to resolve conflicts that may arise from collaboration in a respectful and professional manner. You can do this by addressing the issues promptly, calmly, and objectively. You can also use effective conflict resolution techniques, such as active listening, problem-solving, negotiation, or mediation. You can also avoid blaming, criticizing, or escalating the situation. By resolving conflicts, you can also prevent further damage and restore harmony.

6 Evaluate and improve

The final step is to evaluate and improve your collaboration efforts and outcomes. You can do this by setting and tracking measurable goals, collecting and analyzing feedback, and identifying and celebrating successes. You can also identify and address areas for improvement, and seek or offer suggestions for change. By evaluating and improving, you can also enhance your performance and satisfaction.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?