I was talking with a community leader who sold his business and moved into serving his community in local government. During our conversation we discussed the value and challenge of collaboration as a leader. This idea of collaboration is similar to a concept Peter Senge brought forth in The Fifth Discipline . . . a learning organization.
When people form in a group they go through multiple stages and one question that arises is whether they will we have the humility to listen and learn from one another. Peter Senge says:
“The discipline of team learning involves mastering the practices of dialogue and discussion.”
Imagine a football team preparing for the upcoming week’s game. They have all researched the opposing team and are now at the table discussing strategy for the upcoming game. As they go around the table each coach has their perspective. While listening and discussing they collectively create a plan. This is the easy part. Game day arrives and now the head coach is making decisions in real time and must balance the following tension this community leader and I discussed.
Collaboration
During the game, like in business and multiple forms of leadership, at times we can slow down and discuss ideas with one another. Other situations require rapid ideation and decision making. When is a collaborative environment helpful to the leader?
While talking with this community leader he suggested when the best decision is unclear we need to gather input from others. Leadership decisions vary in complexity. For example, going for a first down when it is 4th and 1 yard to go versus 4th and 4 yards to go are two different decisions. The coach needs more information to get clarity. Similarly, as a leader of an organization or team you may need more ideas and input to determine the best path. When time permits and the answer is unclear leaders collaborate with a deadline. The deadline prevents decision avoidance by continual discussion.
Information
Sometimes collaborating is neither necessary nor beneficial. The football coach who is faced with a fourth down situation with 10 yards to go and 70 yards from their endzone most times will not need to collaborate with the rest of his staff. . . . punt the ball. What is the difference?
In situations like this the leader has clarity. Maybe he or she has experienced this situation, or the answer is obvious, and collaboration will not be an effective use of time. If the organization has not sold a specific product for a year, then it may be obvious this product needs to be removed from development. I would suggest evaluating the implications of a decision before informing without collaboration. Seek out someone who thinks differently than you in case you are missing something and when necessary return to group collaboration so you can make the best decision possible.
Most Important Question
As leaders we make many decisions. When we were talking this leader emphasized the importance of seeing the other side of any issue. We easily get caught in our perspective and fail to see from the side of those being impacted by the decision. The most important question to ask in any decision is: what is right for the community/group/business/people? When we put that question at the front of our thinking we will know how clear the decision is and the level of collaboration we need to engage in.
How are you at collaborating with your team? Do you not have a team yet and need a thinking partner to help you see a different perspective as you make decisions? Contact me for a no cost to you thinking partner session to help you think into your key decisions. Lead Well.
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