10 Steps to Successful Collaboration

1.  Have one when you need one.  Is there a pressing need?  Is a collaborative effort the best way to respond?  If the cause is too small, people won’t participate for long.
2.  Start where you are.  Use what you have.  Do what you can.  Don’t wait for perfection.  Action creates action. Don’t underestimate the power of a group of committed, talented people.
3.  Remember that three people make a circle.  Three people/organizations can change how business is done. Each has to have the authority to commit agency resources.  Each has to be willing to invest time, money, and credibility.
4.  Come through on small things.  Return phone calls. Provide information.  Coordinate schedules. Be honest. Be fully present and participating. Work on your relationships with people – in and out of the collaborative.
5.  Meet with a purpose.  Set a clear goal. Bring your organization’s value to the collaborative. Organize meetings to move toward the goal. People’s time is precious. Focus on getting traction for the next step.  Keep records. Consolidate gains and move on.
6.  Share leadership.  Every member speaks.  Every member has homework. Every member invests something. Every member votes.
7.  Create meaningful products.  Products can be proposals, policies, resources, research.  Collaborative owns the product, not individual members.  Focus on win/win products. No organization should be put in a lesser position because of its decision to collaborate.
8.  Seize opportunities to grow.  Collaboration makes big projects possible. Consider less money, better odds on funding proposals.  Work with the group to  jump ‘out of the box.’ Make the collaborative the force to deal with on your issue.
9.  Welcome new people as equals.  Make newcomers into oldtimers by giving them important work to do. Be aware of core group/fringe group issues.  Explain, explain, explain and then listen, listen, listen.  What was isn’t what will be. New people bring new value to the group.
10.  Commit to shared outcomes.  The happiest marriages start in a ‘new house.’  Focus on the outcomes that really matter to the collaborative.  Invest in shared measurement and reporting.  Welcome the community’s reaction, criticism, support, and investment.

Print