Collaborative intelligence -- the collective determination to reach an identical objective by sharing knowledge and learning while building consensus -- is becoming increasingly essential to organizational success. In my last post, I discussed why leaders need to understand and implement a collaborative model based on creating a culture of collaboration that becomes an integral part of their overall leadership strategy. I also shared two essential skills -- moving away from top-down authority and building bridges of cooperation -- that can help build a more collaborative team.
Here are five more strategies that leaders can use to maximize their collaborative intelligence quotient and increase competitive advantage across the organization:
- Share knowledge. Information and knowledge are the glue that forms the bond between leaders and teams. Equal access to these essential resources creates a shared sense of purpose, decreases competition, and holds great teams together. One hallmark of a traditional hierarchical leadership style required that senior leaders hold onto information without sharing it, which projected a perception of authority and control. As a more effective alternative, sharing information creates a foundation for collaborative leadership, building trust so that everyone feels a part of the team and on the same page. Trust is a key element of this leadership style, and requires setting aside vulnerability. Since trust is hard to build and easy to lose, leaders must focus on cultivating it not just through words, but through actions, evidence, and sharing information.
Review the strategies above against your company's actual practices to determine your organization's collaborative intelligence factor. As a leader, think about how you can model a more collaborative style for others to follow. If demonstrated effectively, collaborative intelligence leads to better information, more effective solutions, and rich perspectives while empowering everyone in the organization to work as a connected and higher-performing community.