The 'V'- Collaborative Team Shape

Starting with what it isn't - the anti 'V' is, for example, at an interview where the interviewer sits directly opposite the interviewee often with a form of barrier in between. Not in the sense of a fence or obvious physical obstacle more something such as a desk and book or board held to deflect any sense of working together. The 'V' is a coming together initially with an acknowledgment of one of the parties to sit alongside to work with. It develops to it's next stage which is a perpendicular shoulder-to-shoulder posture where each individual remains focused on their own notes and so, in a way, their own ways of seeing the world.

Then something magical .. a point of interest and reference appearing in the notes of your colleague. Time to break for cover. By turning ever so slightly into your colleagues space by lets say 10-20 degrees (a smidgen as it's sometimes referred to) then the body shape opens up. We like to mirror and so as the conversation is going well a almost imperceptible response from the second colleague to level up the move.

The scene is now set for shared focus on the subject matter in front of them. This is now shared and something of a common reference. The 'V' can lead to the request along the lines of 'may I draw on yours?' and so the sequence is complete. From joint movement leaves the unmistakable whiff of collaboration in the air. The result is always a better understanding of the subject matter and more often than not a shared action and story to tell others.