This is the last in a series of three blogs where we examine the things that get in the way of authentic collaboration. Click through for some simple tools to apply.
- Business practices limiting flexibility and innovation
Be prepared to modify your “operating system”:
Organisations build up formal internal operating structures and protocols that reflect their experience, and are a key part of the control mechanisms for stability and certainty. These manifest in project protocols like terms of reference, project plans, timelines and milestones, etc, as well as other habits like business planning, HR protocols, etc
“But we can’t proceed until we have nailed the Terms of Reference……”
While an essential part of managing, the unintended consequence is they can frustrate trying different things, or tackling things in new ways, when the demand for these controls may clash with the flexibility and alternative approaches essential in taking a collaborative approach requiring experimentation and innovation.
One way to tackle this can be to develop a solid alternative “structure” that might look a bit different, but meets the same needs in providing confidence to those involved while not limiting the flexibility required to innovate. An example might be this – an emerging time based record that lays out context, plans, progress and outputs, but also recognises the importance of flexibility, emergence and relationships when dealing with complexity.
- Hierarchy and silos
Thinking and doing “with”, not “to”:
Organisations are traditionally set up using hierarchical structures and horizontal separation to manage the business. While appropriate and necessary, they can consolidate a power and control mindset and behaviours that can limit collaborators working across the horizontal boundaries, and constrain their ability to be authentic, to listen, and be flexible.
“But that might cut across what planning is doing, and we’d have to run it past finance…..”
Such collaborative activities may be perceived to threaten the implicit power dynamics, triggering reactive behaviours that can shutdown innovation. It is difficult for collaborators to build the essential trust under these conditions.
Thinking and acting differently is a way to ‘virtually’ remove such boundaries while living within the existing structures and protocols. Acting “as if” the participants are one team not separate groups can help shift conversations and behaviours. One example is the tension we often see between the planning and delivery silos, and here is an example of a to encourage a “with” mentality and congruent behaviours in such situations.