Team collaboration isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a performance booster. Deloitte reports that companies that encourage collaboration are five times more likely to be high-performing. That’s the power of collaboration done right. So, how do high-impact leaders make it happen? Here are 7 truths great leaders embrace to foster strong team collaboration:
1 It’s important to know and understand the value of each team member.
A Gallup study revealed that collaborative teams see a 21% increase in overall employee engagement compared to non-collaborative teams. Before great collaboration can happen, people need to be seen, heard, and understood individually. Great leaders have a sincere curiosity to understand the people they work with and around. They understand who each of their team members is as a person, the preferences they have, and the talents they bring to the table. Leaders spend time with colleagues one-on-one and in groups and are well aware of each team member’s strengths, collaborative style, and opportunities for development. They see their team members clearly today and coach and mentor their future potential, leveraging collaboration for development and results.
2. Solving problems is best done by more minds.
Collaborative efforts are best when there are problems to be solved. Great leaders recognize that the more complex a challenge is, the more minds they need to have engaged in the process of overcoming it. Nothing brings a team together faster than a sense of mission and purpose. Strong leaders bring team members with unique vantage points together. And they share with the greater group the clear value, talent, and strengths of each person. Then, they guide the innovation, problem-solving, and whole team engagement necessary for success. Collaborative efforts increase results. A Stanford study found that teams that collaborate effectively can achieve up to 15% greater productivity.
3. Being right isn’t the goal; being better is.
Much of what we do at work and in life is not about being right. It’s about finding the best path forward to better outcomes. Great leaders minimize the need to be “right” or to “win” when it comes to peer relationships. Instead, they channel the group toward being better together and succeeding or failing as a unit, versus any team member being the best. Knowing that rising tides raise all boats, leaders bring a vision of betterment that no one can achieve alone. Then, they emphasize the strengths of the sum of talents present on the team and inspire collaborative effort toward a better future.
4. Clarity is king.
While no one can predict the future, great leaders can and do clearly communicate the “Big Four”:
- Direction: Leaders share which way to go to get to progress. They give the destination and then leave the navigation up to the brainpower of the team.
- Goals: Leaders are clear about what success looks like. They spell it out in a measurable way through clear goals.
- Roles: Leaders let people know what is theirs to own and act on. They ensure that role clarity is achieved.
- Timeline: Leaders make sure deadlines are clear and milestones are met.
5. There’s no time for blame – accountability and continuous improvement are key.
Great leaders and collaborators do not let their teams waste time placing blame. They inspire a sense of team ownership in all that the group does and fails to do. They seek to recognize problems as early as possible, always scanning for the pink flags that, if left unaddressed, could become clear red flags. Leaders openly discuss issues, not with an eye for who is to blame, but instead focusing on what can be learned and how betterment can happen. Candor fuels continuous improvement.
6. Actioning your care factor is essential.
One of the most important ways great leaders foster collaboration is by acting on their intentions to add value to others. They don’t just care; they do. If they sense a team member is overwhelmed, they make time to understand what’s going on. If someone is in need, they don’t just notice; they do something about meeting the need. They don’t just dream up solutions; they roll up their sleeves to put them into action. Harvard Business Review notes that teams with strong collaboration experience 50% lower turnover rates than those with weak collaboration. Leaders who actively do for others inspire a sense of cohesion, service, and collaboration within their teams. From being present to listening, championing, sharing feedback, coaching, and mentoring, successful collaborators are action-oriented with their care and compassion.
7. The example you set is the most powerful influencer.
Leaders who build collaborative teams set an example by what they don’t do. They don’t gossip; they don’t fan the flames of drama. They don’t complain. Instead, they practice discretion, minimize chaos, and find ways through challenges. Great collaborators model what’s best to do as well. They put in the extra effort. They offer grace and compassion. They bring creativity to problem-solving. They embrace change. They practice humility that draws others to them—not to compete but to collaborate.
The Collaborative Feeling
Teams that collaborate well have a certain swing to them. Success feels possible, and the journey is full of momentum.
You’ll know your team has hit its collaborative stride when:
- People are willing to give discretionary effort and bring that extra because they want to.
- Team members call out and celebrate the success of others.
- Results accelerate, and goals and KPIs are exceeded.
- A sense of team before self comes across in positive and productive ways.
Effective collaboration is a byproduct of great leadership. Keep leading well and experience the joy of moving forward better together.
