#025: Collaborate for the Win ??

Ever feel like you're stuck in a game of "Change Initiative Whack-a-Mole"? Just when you think you've tackled one project, three more pop up! Sound familiar??

In my years of working with teams and individuals trying to bring about meaningful change, one recurring challenge stands out: the uphill battle of turning strategies into action that delivers real, tangible results.

You’re passionate about your work, putting in long hours, and juggling "on-top-of-day-job" projects. But over time, enthusiasm fades, burnout sets in, and change fatigue spreads through the business like wildfire. As initiative after initiative fizzles out, you’re left wondering, “what happened?”.?

The reality is, passion alone won’t carry you through. To create lasting change, a business must invest the necessary time, resources, and energy – and, most importantly, have a strategy aligned with its broader goals. Without that alignment, it’s like being on a road trip without a map – you might end up somewhere, but probably not where you intended.?

Once you’ve got alignment, the real magic happens: people from across the business come together to make it happen. Let’s be real - no one person is going to change the world (or your company) alone. Collaboration is the secret sauce.?

This month’s newsletter is all about the power of collaboration. Delivered, as always, in 3 short tips, 2 things I have liked, and 1 call-to-action.?

3 short tips??

1. Set up a team to lead the initiative?

When you change something in one part of the business, it will invariably have knock-on consequences for other areas. Take time at the outset to consider who will be impacted by the change and ensure those parts of the business are represented in a small, focused team to lead and drive the initiative forward.?

2. Involve people from the outset?

We often feel the need to come up with a solution on our own, which is then presented as a fait accompli, even when feedback is desired. Be comfortable working in ‘draft’ mode – sharing partially formed ideas and roughly sketched-out plans.?

In this early stage, people are much more comfortable sharing their thoughts and suggestions. Incorporate their feedback into your thinking and play it back in subsequent discussions. This way, both the problem and the solution become shared. Will Schutz’s FIRO-B model helps to explain why this dynamic works (Fundamental interpersonal relations orientation - Wikipedia).?

3. Listen to the voices of those resisting?

People who vocalise their resistance should be embraced – it shows they care! Listen to their concerns and bring them into the conversation. Resistance often stems from the past experience of feeling unheard, undervalued and underappreciated. Engaging with them can turn resistance into support.?

2 things I have liked?

1. B Corp – Louder than Words?

Collaboration was a key theme at this month’s B Corp Louder Than Words Festival, and I was blown away by the cross-industry examples of ‘competing companies’ working together to tackle shared challenges. Collaboration over competition every day of the week for me!?

2. Great things happen when we work together?

The latest cartoon from Marketoonist perfectly illustrates the importance of bringing together a cross-functional team, especially in the context of change. Each team member contributes unique insights that can enhance solutions, and identify blind spots others may miss. The diversity of thought fostered through collaboration leads to more innovative and well-rounded outcomes.?

Call-To-Action?

When was the last time you asked for feedback while leading an initiative in your business?

Speaking to people to understand what they know about what’s happening and how it’s impacting them is a great way to find out whether the work you’re putting in is truly resonating across the business.??

Not receiving much feedback? It’s time to increase your collaboration.?

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