HOW TO COLLABORATE EFFECTIVELY

Women tend to have a reputation for criticizing and not supporting other women. However, according to the book 'How Women Lead' by Sharon Hadary and Laura Henderson, the most human tendency is towards collaboration. When women leaders head a company or group, they exercise collaborative, inclusive, and consultative leadership.

A natural tendency towards collaboration is a valuable asset with numerous advantages. Working in teams accelerates productivity and creates an important network of help and guidance. The morale and esteem of group members are considerably higher due to the constant feedback and support among colleagues. Furthermore, collaborating with others fosters innovation, builds strong relationships crucial for development, and offers greater flexibility in work schedules, particularly for working mothers.

HOW TO COLLABORATE EFFECTIVELY
Collaborating does not mean always seeking complete agreement. According to the Harvard Business Review, sometimes when working in groups, people ask permission and seek consensus for everything, and with this, it seems as if responsibility and making difficult decisions are avoided. It's also important to practise decision-making, make tough calls, and feel comfortable delivering difficult news.

Collaboration can be categorised into three types: two that require less time or effort but are vital, such as sharing networks or passing on existing knowledge, and a third personal type that demands deeper involvement. Listening, evaluating, and offering opinions can be time-consuming and tiring.

 Here are some strategies for effective and smart collaboration:

Who to Collaborate With?


According to a study by economist Heather Sarsons at Harvard University, collaborative work between women in economics positively impacts their career success.

To What Extent Should You Collaborate?

It is important to analyse and allocate your time wisely. People often spend too much time helping and communicating with groups, neglecting their actual work, resulting in 80% of their time spent on collaboration and only 20% on actual tasks.

Ask For Help. 

Collaboration has two aspects. Not only do you help others, and collaborate with them, but you also have to be able to ask for help when needed. It can be hard because it can seem like you look weak, but according to experts, you have to do it if you want to advance in your careers.

Learn to Say No. 

As challenging as it may be, it's crucial. This is discussed in another article.

Effective collaboration can significantly improve your work results and boost your confidence. How are you going to handle your next group project? 
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