How to Coach Yourself and Others Techniques For Coaching | Page 93

A-to-Z strategies for building collaboration
Most people agree that effective collaboration is more important than
ever in today’s turbulent environment. In a “do-more-with-less” reality,
it takes ongoing teamwork to produce innovative, cost-effective,
efficient and targeted solutions. In fact, the ultimate success of the
coaching process may depend on how well coach and coachee can
combine their potential and the quality of the information they possess
with their ability (and willingness) to share that knowledge .
So, what’s to be done? Here, from A to Z, are the most successful
strategies to tear down fences, reduce conflicts and increase
collaboration.
A. Find ways to ACKNOWLEDGE collaborative contributors. Recognize
and promote people who learn, teach and share. And, penalize those
who do not. In all best-practices companies, those hoarding knowledge
and failing to build on ideas of others face visible and serious career
consequences. In those top companies, employees who share
knowledge, teach, mentor, and work across departmental boundaries
are recognized and rewarded.
B. Watch your BODY LANGUAGE. All leaders express enthusiasm,
warmth and confidence – as well as arrogance, indifference and
displeasure through their facial expressions, gestures, touch and use of
space. If leaders want to be perceived as credible and collaborative,
they need to make sure that their verbal messages are supported (not
sabotaged) by their nonverbal signals.
C. Focus on the CUSTOMER. Nothing is more important in an
organization – whether it’s a for-profit company or a non-profit group –
than staying close to the end-user of the service or product you offer.
When you build collaborative relationships with your customers, you
give them power and co-ownership of your organization’s success.
D. DIVERSITY is crucial to h &