We all have done it. You enter into a community project, a presentation, a “team-time”, or some other form of collaboration, and then the unthinkable happens – someone in the group decides that there is only one solution! Do they really believe there is only one way to success? Or worse yet, do they believe this because they have the title “leader” that their idea must be the best?
Collaboration is difficult on the very best of days and with tough topics or projects, it becomes even harder. Here are a couple of tips to keep things on track and moving forward.
- Build the Foundation. Before we even begin a project we have to look at the presumptions that are already “riding the airwaves” so to speak. Are there people that are against an idea? Are there historical “pillars” or others that have gone before you and failed? Have you have been sent off to complete an impossible task?? Think about these factors and work to create an even “playing field” before you even begin.
- Build the Team. Be sure the right voices are at the table. Too many contributors and confusion sets in, too few and your “collaboration” is fake or not appreciated.
- Bring Your Enemies! Yes, the old adage is true- it is better to have open opinions at the table rather than subversive work going on behind your back. If they come, then at least they feel part of the solution.
- Establish a Clear End. Be sure that everyone understands what the finish line looks like. Agree with it. Too often leaders get sidetracked or “scope-creep” happens and the project becomes enormous! Hold true to what was agreed upon at the beginning of the project.
- Set the Boundaries. If money is the limit, then say it. If timing is the crux, then list it. If strange aliens landing on the moon to take over the world is too wild and crazy, then put a limit on the crazy ideas (carefully).
- Clear Your Minds. Yes, this means you as the leader! Of course, you have your “ideal”, but never minimize what you can accomplish beyond your own ideas. Make sure everyone in the discussion understands that no one idea is going to “win”, that it is a process for combining ideas for the best outcome.
- Do a “Creative Bomb.” Once you have the right team, the right parameters, and the minds open to new ideas, then let the race begin! Give everyone a chance to think; you talk about the project (but don’t influence!); then let everyone think alone, no convincing or influencing one person to another. White index cards is my favorite here. Take turns explaining ideas, dreams, challenges, and wild ideas to a solution- and work hard not to criticize or diminish any idea at this stage! Blow it up! Have all the ideas exploding at once and see how far the ideas can grow.
- Lead a Little. Here is where your moderation skills step in. Let everyone take a break and come back while you categorize the ideas into “buckets”. Leave no ideas out, simply consolidate. Here is where if an idea lands too far off-center then you can throw it into a “not within the parameters” bucket.
- Group Collaboration. Take the time to review the ideas, this can take a while, but keep the pacing up and consolidate ideas where you can. You end with a handful of solutions that are possible, or at least that should be explored to see if they are possible.
- Gain Buy-In. Here is where collaboration can really fail. Everyone in the room must be comfortable with one of the solutions. They may not love it, and you may hate to take the time to re-hash ideas, but this step is imperative.
- Test and Re-Test. Now you must figure out which idea is going to work. Some leaders stop here and simply make an executive decision, which is fine. True collaboration will work the process until the assets and liabilities have been explored.
- Look at the Assets and Liabilities. Look at each idea, try them out. Discover un-intended consequences, costs, timelines, current culture of acceptance, historical perspective, any previous experience that will indicate success or failure. Remember, previous failure doesn’t mean a “no go”, it just warrants a deeper discussion of “why not”.
- Come to a Testing-Conclusion. Collaborative decision making doesn’t mean every idea will work. Agree to move forward with one or two ideas as a “test” to see what works. Agree to the parameters, who get to know about the test, who gets to influence the test, and work to gain agreement that everyone will keep an open mind to the results in the group, regardless of background.
- Gain Final Buy-in for the Test. Make sure everyone is reminded that “we” came up with this solution. Each member has a moment to speak their final piece and then, all should be expected to support the idea being tested.
- Conclude the Test and Announce the Collaboration. You have to close the door sometime. Even on multi-year projects, teams have to agree on the final “best case” solution and you must celebrate the success of the process.
- Celebrate the Success (or at least the process). Give your team a pat on the back, collaboration is a learned skill, requiring practice. The more you do it, the more it focuses your decisions on a collaborative outcome that is stronger than anything you could have developed on our own!