Are You Willing to Boldly (or Not So Boldly…That’s OK Too!) Go Where Others Won’t?

Collaboration is the competitive edge of our times. There are way too many silos that fuel distrust, inefficiency, and poor outcomes. There is way too much homogenization, which leads to sameness and me-too-isim. And integration is becoming meaningless. In many enterprises, it isn't even working when it comes to systems and processes.?

But how do we achieve it?

Collaboration, as much as it's about the group, requires leadership—point people. Those willing to step out for the good of the outcome and the good of the group. It has always been my sense that someone or multiple someones (never an amorphous or anonymous they) have to drive a stake or multiple stakes in the ground...or nothing ever gets done.

What should those stakes be?

• It could be adherence to a process or a timetable.
• It could be a strategy or an idea.
• It could be deciding to go back to the client for more information or share a milestone.
• It could be the decision to step back and let someone else better suited for that outcome take the lead
• It could be the actual decision to take the project or the reverse...turn it down.

In all instances, someone (or someones—you get it) had to leave the huddle and warmth of the group and boldly (or not so boldly) move from the center and begin to establish new boundaries, new borders, and an expanded envelope to push against.

I said boldly or not because it makes no difference as long as you do it—as you step out. Sometimes, we have to be tentative; other times, we can be assertive and aggressive. Just as long as we don't get paralyzed and lulled by the false comfort and fleeting safety of the center huddle…that's not collaboration as much as it's safety in numbers.

False comfort? Fleeting safety? Why? Who says I have to step out? Who determined I can't stay in the center...be a middle roader, a go-with-the-flow type, or a wave surfer—not a wave maker?

Here's the point: In my business, clients pay us for our ideas, our opinions, our POV as well as our best, most profound, and most radical thinking. They pay us to step beyond their own borders and to establish new outposts that help to super-charge the game, up the ante, and change the paradigm of engagement. And...I imagine it's not much different in yours.

Sure...it's easy to get away with less, and for a while, you can even get away with joining in the client's own huddle. But herein lies the danger...stay in the center, and you become vulnerable from all sides.

Move the stakes, expand the limits, and you (selfishly) end up protecting yourself all the while doing a better job—IMHO.?

And, of course, I have a quote to help drive this stake in the ground.

“He who walks in the middle of the road gets hit from both sides.” —George P. Schultz

The truth is that this sentiment has been given lots of expression. Former Prime Minister of the UK, Margaret Thatcher had her twist on the same thought. However, I did read one from a uniquely American source that made me decide to share two quotes this week.

“There’s nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos.” —Jim Hightower

I don't know about you...but being "roadkill" is not my ideal business situation.

Leave the yellow brick road. Avoid becoming a flattened armadillo. Can you hear the edges calling out for you? There is no lack of ground for those stakes!

What's your view?