Do you feel things are moving too slowly? Do you think you're not contributing enough to the project, or do you expect more from others? Would you like to invest more energy in collaboration but don't know where to start? We offer five tips for more energy in collaboration.
Tip 1: Hey, how are you?
Start the day by checking in with your colleagues to ask how they are doing. This doesn't have to take long, as long as your interest is genuine. Perhaps get coffee for everyone?
Tip 2: Embrace Mistakes!
Organize a 'mistake parade'. You learn the most from the mistakes you make, yet we often spend little time on this in organizations. You can organize this by, for example, holding a mistake parade. Spend half an hour together sharing your best blunders (and what you've learned from them). It's fun and educational! If you're a manager, start with your own blunder; this increases safety and encourages your colleagues to share theirs too.
Tip 3: How about a bet…
Try making a bet with each other. It doesn't matter what it's about, as long as it links to the organization's goals. Who can handle that complaint letter first? Achieve the highest customer satisfaction of the week? Ensure that proposal is accepted right away? Who will you bet with, and how about betting for a good bottle of wine or that the loser washes your car?
Tip 4: Lunch Together
Organize a joint lunch with a specific theme. Whether it's about keeping fit or just having a conversation. The secret to successful teams lies in the quality of communication. The biggest improvement in this comes from personal contact. So, try sitting next to a colleague you don't often speak with and ask them what they're currently working on or perhaps struggling with.
Tip 5: Your Spot or Mine?
Switch workspaces for a day. A change of environment sparks new ideas and insights. What would happen if you spent a day at the workspace of a colleague from another department? You'd talk to different people, gain new insights, and expand your network. Sound exciting? Do it with several colleagues to broaden your horizons.
How do you recharge your battery?
Which tip works best for you? We are all wired differently; for some, it works best to take a rest, while for others, it's about seeking more challenges. Curious about what recharges your battery the most and how you can influence this daily for yourself and others? Read more about the six personality types within us here or join one of the trainings!
