Tag: collaboration tools

THE COLLABORATION KILLER HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

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We tend to think a thank you is always harmless. In teams, it might be the quietest killer of collaboration.
Why? Because in flat, peer-led projects, the person who says “Thanks everyone, great job” often does more than express gratitude — they assume the role of evaluator. Recognition flows down, not across. Without meaning to, they create hierarchy where none was intended.
Collaboration depends on fairness, psychological safety, and shared ownership. A misplaced thank you can erode all three.
Gratitude isn’t the problem, but the way we structure it is. In my latest Roadmender blog, I explore how recognition can either strengthen or sabotage collaboration, and what simple governance tools can fix it.

APPLYING THE OPEN SHIFT PROTOCOL TO BUSINESS COLLABORATION

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This blog introduces the Open Shift Protocol—a simple yet profound method for enhancing collaborative thinking and decision-making. By encouraging individuals and teams to iteratively adopt and emotionally inhabit opposing perspectives, the method loosens rigid thought patterns and fosters deeper, more creative insight. Drawing on principles from emotional intelligence, dialectical reasoning, and creativity research, it offers a unique and structured approach to co-creation that transcends conventional brainstorming or debate, making space for innovation to emerge from complexity and discomfort.

Collaboration Insights

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“We know that workplace productivity is linked not only to person’s skills but also to their sense of identity and esteem.” – Jelenko Dragisic, Author of ‘The Collaboration Instinct‘ Small selection of collaboration insights to help managers improve their team performance with simple culture shift towards real collaboration.

Reclaiming collaboration

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It’s time to wrest the subtle art of collaboration from the jaws of everyday spin. The famous co-founder of once widely popular start-up WeWork claimed that the majority (70%) of those who paid to use the WeWork shared space collaborated.  This always seemed like a possibility given that […]

Collaboration: newspeak, a euphemism or a real deal

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We’re nearly at the 2-year mark since COVID 19 disrupted our universe.  Businesses have learnt many lessons, and many have embraced new strategies such as collaboration, even with competitors.  In fact, competitors tend to embrace collaboration with each other more often than is recognised.  This is not surprising […]

Collaboration has always been risky

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A recent global collaboration study of 476 organisations found that nearly 70% have used collaboration apps.  Reliance on collaboration tools continues to increase as more companies use apps to support their business.  With that shift in workplace practice, or rather, scaling up of an existing practice, comes an […]

Roadmender Recommends

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2018 saw collaboration as a business strategy march towards mainstream practice. The proliferation of new research and material on the subject of collaboration is a clear indication that the value of good collaboration is a major ingredient of a sustainable and resilient business. This latest selection of recommended […]

ROADMENDER Recommends

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There used to be time when collaboration was a smart business strategy only for advanced businesses and well-resourced companies that could afford the risks that came with it. Nowadays collaboration as a business strategy is the mainstay of an increasing number of enterprises across all industries. While good […]

ROADMENDER Recommends

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Collaboration as a strategic approach to creating value is winning.  People are increasingly relying on a collaborative way of working; be it within a business or between businesses across industries.  This doesn’t mean that the work of promoting the practice and approach to collaboration should stop though.  As […]

ROADMENDER Recommends

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There is never a dull moment in an office when collaboration’s around.  We are constantly hearing good news about it; from growth in the collaboration software market as one indicator of the need for better collaboration, to findings which indicate that collaboration really is making business more competitive.  […]

Roadmender Recommends

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The growing need for collaboration is expanding the attitude of smart businesses which recognise one simple fact: collaboration is a strategy that can be crafted to work well.  Good business solves problems.  Complex problems call for collaboration, which invariably adds value to sustainable business.  Undertaking collaboration successfully requires […]

ROADMENDER Recommends

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Collaboration watchers may have observed that there were times when collaboration was seen as a threat to a highly prized culture of individualism. Collaboration was somehow perceived as being about collectives, group-thinks, and against individual brilliance. Today that has changed a lot since we have come to embrace […]

ROADMENDER Recommends

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There is evidence to suggest that people who collaborate tend to work faster and harder. They achieve more. So, should hiring managers pay more attention to the collaboration capacity and attitudes of new staff? I think yes. In fact, I think there would have to be an exceptional […]

ROADMENDER Recommends

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No limit. That’s how I could describe the potential of collaboration today. I think the following selection of recommended reading attests to that. While I won’t play favourites, because it truly is great to see the diverse range of views and insights on collaboration as well examples of […]

ROADMENDER Recommends

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How Collaboration Is a Solution The main principle behind ROADMENDER is a conviction that the practice of collaboration has reached a point where it has become a discipline increasingly playing a crucial part in the MO of any mature enterprise.  In this blog, Karin Volo presents a neat […]