Collaboration makes working together even better!
When I left Corporate America in 2019 to start my own marketing consulting firm I knew, despite my extensive experience, that there would be new things to learn, new experiences to explore, and new challenges. But, after two decades working in large organizations where I had access to resources, staff, and cash flow, I realized that even though these are essential, there is one component that became significantly more critical and that was the art of collaboration.
col·lab·o·ra·tion (noun) 1. the action of working with someone to produce or create something.
Whether you are one of my strategic partners, or a client, working alongside or for you makes us a team. In the past, the teams I worked on were created by some higher-up who brought staff together to solve a problem or bring an idea to life. Oftentimes, we were thrown into a boardroom to brainstorm, and then “forced” to execute a plan. Today, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to pick the people I bring on board and select the clients I work with based on the way their values align with mine. This allows for a special type of collaboration that makes the relationship we create equally as important as achieving the goals we set out to do.
Which got me thinking…
For us to collaborate, reach our fullest potential, and enjoy the process we should strive to have the following: (I am sharing this with you as a reminder to myself to be these things as well!)
- Create an environment of trust – This may be difficult to establish, especially during the early stages of collaboration, because we don’t know each other very well. But, if I do what I say I will do, if I show up on time, and meet deadlines and milestones, then we are off to a good start. Once we both have delivered the things we committed to do, we will begin to have confidence in one another, and ultimately will enjoy a safe, trusted working relationship.
- Learn to communicate – And not just with words. While I am getting to know you, I spend a lot of time listening to the things you say and things you don’t. It’s extremely important to me to know your story. It goes without saying that this will only happen if we mutually respect one another.
- Value our differences – You know your specialty or business and I know mine. If we are working together as strategic partners, it’s likely you came on board Yasenny, LLC. because you have a set of skills I don’t. While working together, I will lean on you to provide your professional recommendations and regard your subject area contributions, and I commit to allowing you a safe place to do so.
I hope that we will have the opportunity to collaborate one day. If you are already doing so with others I hope that you are collaborating with partners and clients that you value and trust and who make your days brighter.
Enjoy the beauty of spring.
If you would like to collaborate with me, please schedule a free 30-minute consultation.
