5/6/10 - Ideas to get a "stuck" collaboration moving

Session led by Jayne Cronlund

Collaboration vs. egos

Need vision of an outcome that all can see

One person usually drives collaboration - leadership and facilitation - whispering in the ear of other leaders

Group needs to define the standards and guidelines of operating

Hold the group accountable to the rules

Things that don't work What does work Collaboration can make change happen fast and efficiently - needs to be fast-paced
 * egos
 * private/secret agenda
 * "What's in it for me?"
 * Personal issues - come up a lot in group collaboration
 * Fear of hurting someone's feelings
 * Lay groundwork with individuals before meetings
 * Need a leader or facilitator - can rotate leader?
 * Safe space for people to express themselves

Can we prefer effective over efficient? What's the vision and how do we accomplish it.

How do you make a safe space? Disclose, bring personal issues or circumstances to surface as soon as possible - get it out of the way and move on
 * Ask the group how they would like to reveal this.
 * Check in at the start of the meeting (verbal or written), e.g. ask the group to share a positive success before the meeting - builds momentum, energizes
 * Ask for minutes of silence during a meeting - calibrate the group, get everyone on the same page
 * Music or play before the meeting, shift the side of the brain with kinesthetic activities
 * Break groups into smaller pieces
 * Make people express another person's idea