Fostering collaboration among different departments

Collaboration is an important aspect of any work environment. Most jobs require interdisciplinary input from various departments throughout the company that often do not have any reporting relationships to those they collaborate with. At times, when there is no direct reporting accountability, people can be reluctant to collaborate across divisions.
Evidence of collaboration is a smoothly run operation. When collaboration isn't in play, problems often arise. When there is a lack of cooperation between departments, miscommunication and signs of protecting one's territory can negatively impact the company's bottom line.
"Collaboration often encompasses peers who have different areas of expertise and skills," said Susan Cucuzza, principal of Live Forward LLC and leadership development consultant. "Sometimes a lack of understanding of one another's strengths and contributions can affect collaboration."
Cucuzza pointed out that a lack of leadership can also result in a lack of collaboration. There is not one person stepping up and leading the effort, she said. Collaboration does not occur because there is no common vision being provided and, therefore, individuals do not understand the necessity of the collaboration.
When not managed well, collaboration turns into competition and can take a team in the wrong direction, Cucuzza stated. "Because collaboration consists of interdisciplinary groups trying to come together, intended collaboration can turn into whose idea is better, whose solution should be followed and who is smarter."
In order to foster collaboration in all work environments, especially between departments, Cucuzza offered several words of advice.
Good collaboration needs to start with great leadership. This may be an informal role in which one or two people step up and determine who needs to be involved, what the overall goal is, and the benefits of collaborating.
Organizations cannot afford to have collaboration be absent. The workplace of today consists of scarce resources but much to do. Leadership needs to set an example by collaborating with one another. Even in a multidisciplinary business that has different divisions and functions, there is always opportunity for the leaders of those areas to collaborate together.
If collaboration becomes part of the culture and expectations of good performance, more employees will be held accountable for working across borders. The importance of collaboration needs to be communicated, defined, and demonstrated so that employees see the benefits of working together and understand the need to do so.
Today's workers cannot afford to not collaborate. Collaboration benefits everyone. It is important to rise up above your own knowledge and skills and realize how much your own performance can improve as you collaborate with others. This sometimes requires letting go of your own ego and learning from others and listening and incorporating their ideas.