Collaboration – What Does It Really Mean?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, collaboration is defined as:
- The action of working with someone to produce something, or
- A traitorous cooperation with an enemy.
I’m not sure that either of these definitions are particularly helpful in a business context. They certainly don’t seem to align with how the word is used on social media platforms and at the networking events I attend.
Every day, my LinkedIn inbox and emails are filled with people claiming to be genuinely interested in what I do and eager to collaborate. Great! As a solo entrepreneur, collaboration is crucial. One person can’t possibly handle all the tasks required to run a successful business. Collaboration is the best way to create flow and ensure everyone is playing to their strengths.
However, almost every time I receive a message suggesting collaboration, it quickly becomes clear that what they really mean is: Buy my stuff! What they’re offering is a transactional relationship, not a true collaboration.
So, I return to my question: “Collaboration, what does it really mean?”
As a passionate scuba diver and lover of the underwater world, I’m constantly amazed by the resilience and adaptability of nature. I wondered if there might be any examples of collaboration in the natural world that could inspire me.
The Portuguese man o’ war, also known as the man-of-war, bluebottle, or floating terror, provides an interesting example.
It’s often mistaken for a jellyfish, but it’s not actually a jellyfish. In fact, it’s not even an “it” but a “they.”
The Portuguese man o’ war is a siphonophore—an animal made up of a colony of organisms working together. Each clone performs a different job, yet all are connected to a central circulatory system, so the entire colony is nourished.
In isolation, these individual organisms wouldn’t survive, but collectively, they form a force of nature not to be messed with!
In my experience collaborations fail because they lack structure and a mindful approach. Whereas a successful collaboration thrives if it has balance between structure and flexibility, clarity and adaptability, and trust and accountability.
By establishing clear outcomes, maintaining open communication, and ensuring mutual respect and benefit, collaborators can create an environment where innovation thrives, and the partnership succeeds.
What would you say are the key elements to a successful collaboration?
I’d be interested to hear about your experience, Portuguese man o’ war or just man at war!
