Collaboration is the cornerstone of collective efforts. Collaboration in the modern workplace is also increasingly seen as a form of social learning, involving groups of people interacting and reflecting to solve situational problems, complete tasks, or understand new concepts. Collaboration skills form the bedrock of productivity.
Collaboration as learning
Collaboration-as-learning involves supporting the workforce to learn to collaborate – an increasingly crucial function of modern Learning and Development functions. The skillsets needed and further strengthened by collaboration not only enhances individual capabilities but also significantly impacts organizational effectiveness and the bottom line.
The benefits of developing collaboration skills
Enhanced Problem Solving: Collaboration fosters a multi-perspective approach to problem-solving. Teams that incorporate diverse viewpoints tend to devise more comprehensive solutions to complex problems, highlighting the performance benefits in companies that prioritize collaboration skill development.
Increased Innovation: Collaboration leads to higher levels of innovation within organizations. As team members share and discuss ideas, they combine their individual strengths to create novel solutions. Thus companies that promote collaborative working are more likely to be high-performing .
Improved Employee Engagement and Satisfaction: Collaborative environments can lead to increased job satisfaction and lower employee turnover. Employees in such environments often feel more valued and supported, which enhances their engagement and loyalty to the company. Lower attrition rates and higher job satisfaction are expected in companies with strong collaboration practices.
Agility and Adaptability: In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, the ability to adapt quickly is crucial. Collaboration skills enhance organizational agility by fostering a culture of continuous learning and mutual support among employees.
Economic Benefits: Firms that excel in nurturing collaboration skills see economic benefits, including higher profitability and growth rates. These companies achieve superior financial performance by leveraging the collective intelligence and aligned efforts of their workforce.
Implementing collaboration skills in organizations
To effectively implement collaboration skills and related behavior, organizations should focus on:
- Creating a Supportive Culture: Encourage open communication and teamwork by establishing trust and respect as core values.
- Investing in Collaborative Tools: Provide employees with the technology and spaces that facilitate effective collaboration.
- Training and Development: Offer ongoing training that helps employees improve their collaborative skills, such as communication, conflict resolution, and inclusive mindset.
- Measuring Impact: Regularly assess how collaborative practices affect team performance, employee engagement, and financial outcomes to continuously improve strategies.
The integration of collaboration skills and behaviors into organizational development strategies is no longer optional but a necessity for modern businesses aiming to thrive. By investing in collaboration skills, organizations not only enhance their workforce capabilities but also improve their adaptability, innovation, and ultimately, their financial success. Fostering a culture that values collaborative spirit can transform potential into performance, driving both individual and organizational growth.
Relevant literature:
S. Lu, H., & Smiles, R.V. (2022). The Role of Collaborative Learning in the Online Education. International Journal of Economics, Business and Management Research.
Adhvaryu, A.R., Kala, N., & Nyshadham, A. (2023). Returns to On-the-Job Soft Skills Training. Journal of Political Economy, 131, 2165 – 2208.
Yang, L., Jaffe, S., Holtz, D., Suri, S., Sinha, S., Weston, J., Joyce, C., Shah, N.P., Sherman, K., Lee, C., Hecht, B.J., & Teevan, J. (2020). The effects of remote work on collaboration among information workers. Nature Human Behaviour, 6, 43 – 54.
Ogunrinde, A. (2022). The Effectiveness of Soft Skills in Generating Dynamic Capabilities in ICT companies. ESIC Market.
Lok, B., Cheng, M.Y., & Choong, C.K. (2021). The Relationship between Soft Skills Training and Development, Human Resource Outcome and Firm Performance. International Journal of Business and Society, 22, 382-402.
– Academy of Brain, the science of Soft Skills learning
Subject matter by Ville Ojanen
(Leading Psychologist at Academy of Brain)
Ville Ojanen is a psychologist with a doctorate in cognitive neuroscience. His passion is understanding and influencing the human behavior. Ville combines an exceptionally broad and in-depth understanding of behavioral and neurosciences with practical experience in developing individuals, teams and communities.
He has worked as a clinical neuropsychologist, as an HR professional in Nokia and for fifteen years as an organizational psychologist, coach and keynote speaker. Ville is a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder of Academy of Brain Ltd. He has served in the behavioral science advisor team of the Finnish Prime minister´s office since 2020, currently as a steering group member.
“Change the mind, change the world”
