How to Coach Yourself and Others Techniques For Coaching | Page 94

performed worse than groups whose members had varying levels of
skill and knowledge. The reason for this seemingly odd outcome has to
do with the power of diverse thinking. Group members who think alike
or are trained in similar disciplines with similar knowledge bases run
the risk of becoming insular in their ideas. Instead of exploring
alternatives, a confirmation bias takes over and members tend to
reinforce one another’s predisposition. Diversity causes people to
consider perspectives and possibilities that would otherwise be
ignored.
E. ELIMINATE the barriers to a free flow of ideas. Everyone has
knowledge that is important to someone else, and you never know
whose input is going to become an essential part of the solution. When
insights and opinions are ridiculed, criticized or ignored, people feel
threatened and “punished” for contributing. They typically react by
withdrawing from the conversation. Conversely, when people are free
to ask “dumb” questions, challenge the status quo and offer novel –
even bizarre – suggestions, then sharing knowledge becomes a
collaborative process of blending diverse opinion, expertise and
perspectives.
F. To enhance collaboration, analyze and learn from FAILURE. The goal
is not to eliminate all errors, but to analyze mistakes in order to create
systems that more quickly detect and correct mistakes before they
become fatal.
G. Collaboration takes GUIDANCE by managers who know how to
harness the energies and talents of others while keeping their own egos
in check. Successful organizations require leaders at all levels who
manage by influence and inclusion rather than by position.
H. Eliminate HOARDING by challenging the “knowledge is power”
attitude. Knowledge is no longer a commodity like gold, which holds (or
increases) its worth over time. It’s more like milk – fluid, evolving and
stamped with an expiration date. And, by the way, there is nothing less
powerful than hanging on to knowledge whose time has expired.

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