A wise man once said, “Every person is my teacher.” There is great truth in that statement. We can each learn something from everyone we encounter.
As you go through life and work in business, you encounter many people on a daily basis. Did you ever stop to consider what you have learned from those encounters?
The fact is, if you are a good listener and a careful observer, there are lessons everywhere.
This is the power of collaboration. Every person on your team brings their collection of knowledge to the table – knowledge they have acquired themselves and from others. When you get even a few members of your team together, you are collecting knowledge from an infinite number of sources.
Here is an example.
“We’ve decided to build a corporate fitness center. Does anyone know where to start?”
The team chuckles as someone pipes up, “I went to a fitness center about ten years ago, does that count?”
The comment, however, sparks a thought, which prompted another team member to say, “Actually, I know a company across town that has one, and it is a great facility.”
“I used to work there!” says another. “In fact, I know the former facilities manager. Shall I call him to get some information?”
And that is where it started – the building of a state of the art corporate fitness center that came in under budget and ahead of schedule – a $200,000 facility that, in the end, cost only $100,000.
How did this happen?
One word: Collaboration
This team member talked with the former facilities manager, learning that he now owned his own architectural firm. He agreed to meet with her and the senior manager who initiated the project. Together, they walked the area of the proposed facility and discussed plans.
It was evident the construction would require skilled craftsmen, so the team member called on another friend who had many connections there.
Drawing on lessons learned in a draftsman class from years before, the team member translated the vision of the senior manager for the fitness center into a 3D design. The architect was then able to take it, and draw up the blueprints and schematics. The craftsmen came in and applied their expertise, and the project started coming together nicely.
As they began to discuss equipment, one of the crew mentioned knowing someone who was a purchasing agent. That led to an education on the various kinds of fitness equipment and, in the end, a collection of high quality equipment at a very reasonable price.
One of the attorneys recalled a clause in the lease agreement that allowed for reimbursement of improvement costs, and those negotiations began as well.
Under the oversight of the team member, all these pieces came into play. The design, construction, negotiation, equipment, and reimbursement all resulted from collaboration. And that collaboration produced a first-class facility at half the cost.
This is the value of collaboration.
What projects in your organization need collaboration?
You likely have many projects on your list to accomplish. Are you consulting with your team? It could be that they and/or the people they know have just the answers you need.
The value of collaboration is yours for the asking.
As the CEO of Strength Leader Development, Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after international executive mentor, coach, trainer and speaker. Deb is well versed in global business operations and helps business leaders and their teams to discover and leverage their strengths, so they can create highly collaborative teams that deliver great results. With a refreshingly direct style, Deb helps leaders and their teams to deliver profitable results. Connect with Deb to learn more about her mentorship and coaching programs to equip you with advanced strategies to elevate your results.
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