In this article, we will be explaining what collaboration goals are. We shall also look at the various reasons why workplace collaboration is highly important and its need for business success. In addition, we will also be listing the different skills employees require for effective collaboration in a team.

What are collaboration goals?

Collaboration goals are those that guide the employees in the process of collaboration. The goals set for collaboration are usually smart goals. Smart goals help teams achieve greater things as they act as an outline for the entire work process. The steps for setting smart goals for collaboration are described below:

The goal must be highly specific

When the goal is specific, the work process also will be highly specific. However, team leaders and managers often make the mistake of setting vague goals. Vague goals might not give out sufficient information to the team members, and thus they might come repeatedly to the leader for advice and guidance.

They should measurable

The goal that is set should also be a measurable one. When it is something that cannot be measured easily, the work and the project can become subjective and thus employees might not take active part in it. Some goals may not be easily measured. However, leaders can choose various gauges to measure it or even come up with their own and validate it for reference.

The team must be able to achieve the goal

The goal should be a realistic and achievable goal. If the goal is not realistic, the team members may lose their motivation to achieve it. When we say realistic, we mean it should be achieved by means of the current resources and people available. If too many additional requirements and skillsets are required to achieve it, the goal is not realistic.

It must be relevant to the team

When the team members find the goal relatable and meaningful, they will engage more in the work process. They will also show motivation to take up additional roles in the project. Team leaders should help the team members see the bigger picture of the goal and how it will impact their personal lives and their communities.

The goal should have a time-frame

The goal and project of course should have a deadline by which it should be achieved or completed. If there is no time-frame, the team may lose its motivation level. When all the team members are aware of the deadline of the goal, they will work with a sense of urgency and motivation. This can also greatly help in the planning and coordination of the process.

In addition to setting smart goals for collaboration, teams can also use the strategies mentioned below:

Track the progress

In order to understand if their efforts are truly paying off, all the team members should be able to track the progress towards achievement of the goal. Thus, having a centralized process where tasks can be managed and the progress can be measured can be highly useful. This can also be used to give feedback as well as acknowledge accomplishments.

Communicate frequently with leaders and stakeholders

There should be regular communication with the team leader and the other superiors who are related to the project. This helps in creating transparency and honesty in the environment. It also helps in increasing accountability and responsibility. Not only the leaders, but also the stakeholders of the project should be on the same page with the team members.

Be adaptable

Even though the goal may be set effectively and the project is well-planned and organized, the team might still face many hiccups along the way. Feedback along the way can also require changes in the work process. This requires the team members to be adaptable and agile in order to face any new challenges in a positive manner.

Why is workplace collaboration highly important?

Collaboration in the workplace is emphasized and found to be highly important. This can be for many reasons, including the ones mentioned in this section:

Collaboration leads to unity in the organization

Collaboration brings all the members in the team closer together. This is not only in that particular team but also brings various departments and functionalities together. Collaboration is the key to breaking down silos in the organization and encouraging communication between levels and hierarchies. Thus, it allows a flatter organizational structure.

It promotes learning in the team

Collaboration can allow team members to learn in an easier and more efficient manner. Since different team members carry various sets of knowledge and skill sets, they can easily share this with others in a collaborative setting. Learning during collaboration helps more knowledge to be retained and also be applied practically.

Collaboration creates better solutions

Collaboration can also greatly affect the method of problem-solving in the team. Through collaborative practices, the issue can be viewed from multiple angles and perspectives. It also leads to creative solutions from the team members since they are working in a positive and supportive environment.

It leads to better job satisfaction

By using collaborative practices, organizations can greatly boost morale among the employees. Employees also report feeling valued and understood better in a collaborative organization. Thus, collaboration and teamwork can lead to more job satisfaction in employees and also promotes employee retention in companies.

Importance of collaboration for business success

Collaboration not only benefits the employees by boosting their morale and making the work process in the organization more efficient. It also is great for business success in the organization. Many successful organizations state collaboration as the reason for their success. Collaboration contributes greatly to business success of an organization by:

Collaboration allows better remote working, creating a more diverse workforce in the organization
Information is shared quickly and efficiently between employees and departments
It allows better operation of data analytics
It makes meetings, both physical and virtual, highly successful events
Businesses that incorporate good collaborative practices are more adaptable to challenges and trends
Collaborative organizations lead to better supply chain management
It allows for more customer satisfaction
Collaborative leadership encourages creativity and innovation in the workplace

Skills required for effective collaboration

In order to achieve effective collaboration in a team or an organization, workers need to be equipped with the right skills. These collaborative skills are described below:

Communication skills

Communication is highly essential for the process of collaboration. Without communication, collaboration simply cannot happen. Employees need to have the right communication skills in all its mediums, whether it be verbal, non-verbal or written communication. Non-verbal communication is a particular skill that all employees need to be trained in.

Understanding diversity

As workforces and teams are becoming highly diverse, understanding and respecting different cultural backgrounds, languages and religions is highly essential. This does not come naturally to everyone as a result of maladaptive upbringing, poor exposure and personal bias. However, understanding diversity is very important as this can yield great benefits for the organization.

Self-awareness

Self-awareness refers to the knowledge an individual possesses about himself/herself. When there is high self-awareness, there is high self-esteem and an awareness of the skill gaps one possesses. Thus, self-awareness can lead to learning and interdependence in the team. It can also lead to better emotional awareness and regulation.

Thirst for learning

Team members need to display a great thirst for learning and knowledge if they want to highly collaborative individuals. Collaboration also facilitates learning by bringing many skillsets and resources together in the same team. When team members learn together or learn from each other it improves the team cohesion and the team bonding.

Critical and creative thinking

Collaboration also requires team members to use their thinking skills for solving problems and also coming up with new products and designs. Critical and creative thinking, however, can happen only when there is psychological safety in the organization. Thus, leaders need to encourage team members to take more risks by giving a healthy level of autonomy.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained what collaboration goals are. We have also seen the various reasons why workplace collaboration is highly important and its need for business success. Lastly, we have listed the different skills employees require for effective collaboration in a team.

Frequently asked questions: (What are collaboration goals?)

What is a smart goal for collaboration?

Smart goals are defined as follows:

Specific: They are highly specific in nature
Measurable: These goals can be easily measured
Achievable: The goal should be achievable using the present position and resources
Relatable: Team members should be able to relate to the goal
Time-framed: The goal should have a proper deadline for its completion

What is a good example of collaboration?

A great example of collaboration is brainstorming ideas. In this process, the team members give their ideas and suggestions in order to solve a particular problem. This process can also be used to come up with new and innovative products and designs in the organization, which can then translate to business profit.

Why is collaboration important in leadership?

When collaborative practices are implemented in leadership, it is called collaborative leadership. Collaborative leadership is being emphasized in organizations as it promotes business success. It does this by bringing about the following changes:

Collaborative leadership increases productivity

Through collaborative leadership, an organization can increase its productivity. This happens as employees are clear about their roles and also whom to approach for resources or assistance. Collaborative leadership encourages employees to take more accountability and ownership of their roles. In this manner, teams show responsibility and increase their individual productivity.

It creates a supportive work environment

Collaborative leaders help in creating a positive and supportive work environment for the employees. They allow employees to work with autonomy and work closely together with other team members. These leaders also show high levels of self-awareness and thus they can create a balance between fun and work.

Collaboration boosts creativity

Creativity requires the right environment and resources in order to become productive. Collaborative leadership provides this environment, boosting creativity and innovation in the organization. Employees are encouraged to bring new ideas and solutions forward. These are considered carefully and equally in turn, which allows teams to feel values and listened to.

Why is collaboration important in marketing?

Collaboration can be highly useful for the purpose of marketing in business. Through collaboration, the reach of the business can grow and thus can lead to newer customers and consumers. It can also improve the meaningfulness and relatability of a brand. This can allow the business to grow both in reach and business profit.

If you like this article, please leave your questions and comments in the space below.

Citations

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/collaborate-successfully.htm

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/collaboration-skills

https://kissflow.com/digital-workplace/collaboration/what-is-collaboration/

https://intellihr.co/insights/improve-team-collaboration-with-goals/

https://blog.jostle.me/blog/why-collaboration-is-important

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/collaboration-skills-with-examples-2059686

https://ideadrop.co/innovation-culture/6-ways-create-collaborative-workplace/

https://www.ringcentral.com/us/en/blog/collaboration-in-the-workplace/

https://hbr.org/2007/11/eight-ways-to-build-collaborative-teams

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What are collaboration goals?