Dave Pollard's environmental philosophy, creative works, business papers and essays.


 



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The Ideal Collaborative Team AND A Conversation on the Collaborative Process

The Ideal Collaborative Team

A New Survey Suggests that Attitude is More Important than Experience in Collaborative Work

A recent survey conducted jointly by Mitch Ditkoff and Tim Moore of Idea Champions, Carolyn Allen of Innovation Solution Center and Dave Pollard of Meeting of Minds reveals that most people would rather have inexperienced people with a positive attitude than highly experienced people who lack enthusiasm, candor or commitment, on a collaborative work team.

A total of 108 people responded to the survey, which asked participants to rate 39 criteria for selection of collaboration teammates on a scale of 1 (not relevant) to 5 (indispensable). The average ratings of all participants are shown in Fig. 1 below:

Fig. 1: Summary of Collaboration Survey Results

What qualities, attitudes and skills help make a good collaborator?

AN IDEAL PROSPECTIVE COLLABORATOR . . .

Avg

Overall Rank

Indispensable (3)

 


Is enthusiastic about the subject of our collaboration.

4.4

1

Is open-minded and curious.

4.3

2

Speaks their mind even if it's an unpopular viewpoint.

4.0

3

Very Important (9)

 

 

Gets back to me and others in a timely way.

3.9

4

Is willing to enter into difficult conversations.

3.9

5

Is a perceptive listener.

3.9

6

Is skillful at giving/receiving even negative feedback.

3.9

7

Is willing to put forward unpopular ideas.

3.8

8

Is self managing and requires 'low maintenance.'

3.7

9

Is known for following through on commitments.

3.7

10

Is willing to dig into the topic with zeal.

3.7

11

Thinks differently than I do/brings different perspectives.

3.7

12


Important (7)



Can work with many different types of people.

3.6

13

Is comfortable with ambiguity.

3.6

14

Adapts quickly to surprises/changes/new requirements

3.6

15

Has a significant stake in outcome of the collaboration.

3.4

16

Has an ability to improvise.

3.4

17

Has a sense of urgency about our collaboration.

3.4

18

Encourages equal participation among all the members.

3.4

19

Some Relevance (11)



Is optimistic and upbeat.

3.3

20

Is pragmatic and knows how ideas get executed.

3.3

21

Has lots of ideas.

3.3

22

Thinks strategically.

3.3

23

Is playful and has a good sense of humor.

3.3

24

Can think on their feet.

3.2

25

Has diverse knowledge on a broad range of subjects.

3.2

26

Has good connections and networks.

3.1

27

Is skillful at helping the group reach consensus.

3.1

28

Has deep understanding of the subject of our collaboration.

3.0

29

Is deeply reflective.