Collaboration: The Ultimate Pre School skill That Could Save the Workplace

Collaboration: The Ultimate pre school skill that could save the workplace

Picture this: a group of wide-eyed, pint-sized kids huddled around a tiny table, crayons and paper strewn about. They're all giggling and chattering, and yet, miraculously, they're all working together on a masterpiece. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it? But what if I told you that those little artists had just learned the most crucial skill they'll ever need in the workforce? That's right, folks. Collaboration.

Collaboration is the secret sauce to workplace productivity. It's the peanut butter to your jelly, the yin to your yang, the Bert to your Ernie and the Bak to your Terie or freckles to your speckles. And yet, despite its importance, many workplaces struggle with it. People have their own agendas, egos get in the way, and let's face it, not everyone knows how to work well with others. That's why I propose that we start teaching collaboration as a mandatory subject in pre school and primary school. Think of the possibilities!

Imagine a world where everyone knows how to work together effectively. Where people actually enjoy collaborating and can do so without ego or agenda. A world where there are no more boring, unproductive meetings where everyone's just waiting for it to be over. That's the world I want to live in.

But how do we make this dream a reality? Here are some strategies that workplaces can use to foster effective collaboration:

1. Create a culture that values collaboration.

If we want people to collaborate effectively, we need to make sure that collaboration is something that's valued and celebrated in the workplace. Leaders should model collaborative behavior and recognize and reward collaborative efforts. Maybe we should have a Collaborator of the Month award or a Collaborative Spirit Day where we all wear matching t-shirts and have a company-wide game of Jenga.

1. Establish clear goals and roles.

Collaboration is most effective when everyone understands their role and responsibilities. Maybe we could play a game of "Collaboration Telephone" where we all whisper a goal to the person next to us, and by the end of the line, we see how the goal has evolved.

1. Provide the right tools and resources.

Collaboration often requires specialized tools, such as whiteboards, sticky notes, and a steady supply of snacks. We could create a Collaboration Room where all the tools and snacks are kept, and people can go there to brainstorm and collaborate.

1. Encourage communication.

Communication is key to effective collaboration. Maybe we should have a company-wide Slack channel dedicated to collaboration, where people can post ideas, ask for feedback, and share resources. Or we could create a Collaboration Hotline where people can call in and bounce ideas off each other.

1. Emphasize diversity and inclusion.

Collaboration is most effective when it involves diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Maybe we could have a weekly Diversity Lunch where we all bring in food from our different cultures and talk about our experiences. Or we could have a "Collaboration Olympics" where teams are intentionally diverse and have to work together to complete various challenges.

Now, I know what you're thinking. This all sounds great in theory, but can collaboration really be taught? Absolutely. While some people may be natural collaborators, others may need a little more guidance. By teaching collaboration as a mandatory subject or course at pre and primary school level , we can ensure that everyone has a strong foundation in this essential skill.

So, let's make collaboration the ultimate preschool / Primary school skill. Let's teach our children how to work together effectively from a young age, so they can carry that skill with them into the workforce. And who knows, maybe we'll all have a little fun along the way. After all, isn't that what Pre Primary is all about?