“I’ve never met anyone, at least in my life . . . that could do something so incredible by themselves. The reason Apple is special is that we focus on hardware, software and services and the magic happens where those three come together and so it’s unlikely that somebody that’s focused on one of those in and of itself can come up with magic. . . you want people collaborating in such a way that you can produce these things that can’t be produced otherwise and you want people to believe in that.”
Tim Cook (Apple CEO)
Tim Cook (Apple CEO)
The definition of collaboration can vary greatly depending on who you talk to. However, as Tim Cook references in the above quote, we are better together. When meaningful collaborative processes are in place to connect with others in engaging environments, the possibilities are endless!
Collaboration
We live in a world full of people who come from dramatically different cultures and have a wide variety of belief systems, but in spite of our diversity we somehow manage to co-exist on the planet. We are wired to cooperate, work together and collaborate to accomplish amazing things. But what defines collaboration? What characteristics are present when collaboration is successful? Panitz (1996) states from a philosophical perspective, that collaboration is an interaction where cooperation is designed to facilitate the accomplishment of a desired goal. This definition indicates two key elements, and implies a third, that are all fundamentally important in any true collaborative process.
1. Cooperation
Cooperation is so important in effective collaborative processes, that they would not exist without it. In cooperative collaborations, people listen to, and value the diverse views of all participants.
2. Realization of Goals
Collaboration is not genuine and valid without the accomplishment of the desired task. Yes it is important to converse with people and share ideas, but unless their is some vision or a desire to accomplish a task or goal, true collaboration does not exist.
3. Trust
All effective collaborative environments are built on trust. We need to trust the people we interact with and it is this trust, built on human interaction, that defines who we choose to build relationships with and how we choose to collaborate with them. Trained ethnographer and leadership expert Simon Sinek believes that all successful communities and cultures are built on trust.
Collaboration
We live in a world full of people who come from dramatically different cultures and have a wide variety of belief systems, but in spite of our diversity we somehow manage to co-exist on the planet. We are wired to cooperate, work together and collaborate to accomplish amazing things. But what defines collaboration? What characteristics are present when collaboration is successful? Panitz (1996) states from a philosophical perspective, that collaboration is an interaction where cooperation is designed to facilitate the accomplishment of a desired goal. This definition indicates two key elements, and implies a third, that are all fundamentally important in any true collaborative process.
1. Cooperation
Cooperation is so important in effective collaborative processes, that they would not exist without it. In cooperative collaborations, people listen to, and value the diverse views of all participants.
2. Realization of Goals
Collaboration is not genuine and valid without the accomplishment of the desired task. Yes it is important to converse with people and share ideas, but unless their is some vision or a desire to accomplish a task or goal, true collaboration does not exist.
3. Trust
All effective collaborative environments are built on trust. We need to trust the people we interact with and it is this trust, built on human interaction, that defines who we choose to build relationships with and how we choose to collaborate with them. Trained ethnographer and leadership expert Simon Sinek believes that all successful communities and cultures are built on trust.
“Trust comes from a sense of common values and beliefs. And the reason trust is important is that when we are surrounded with people who believe what we believe we’re more confident to take risks, we’re more confident to experiment . . . . , we’re more confident to go off and explore knowing that there is someone . . . . who believes what we believe, who will watch our back, help us when we fall over . . . our very survival depends on surrounding ourselves with people who believe what we believe.”
Simon Sinek (2011)
Simon Sinek (2011)
Collaboration in Education
Goulet et. al (2003) define collaboration as a process that involves bringing people and groups together with a common goal or purpose in mind. In education, "clients" are students who trust educators with their learning and well being. In this setting, unlike that of the corporate world, the collaborative process, pays careful consideration to values, harmonious relationships, and the personal growth of each individual. Goulet et. al (2003) also define collaboration both as a phenomenon and a process by breaking collaboration down into three pillars: ways of being, ways of doing, ways of becoming.
Ways of Being - Relationship focused
Ways of Doing - Action focused
Ways of Becoming - Transformation
This approach to collaboration speaks to the humanistic nature of education. It applies to both teachers and students and if groups engage in collaborative setting, with this framework in mind, learning and growth can and will happen. After careful reflection, Goulet et. al (2003) redefine their view of meaningful collaboration from their “ways of” lens.
Goulet et. al (2003) define collaboration as a process that involves bringing people and groups together with a common goal or purpose in mind. In education, "clients" are students who trust educators with their learning and well being. In this setting, unlike that of the corporate world, the collaborative process, pays careful consideration to values, harmonious relationships, and the personal growth of each individual. Goulet et. al (2003) also define collaboration both as a phenomenon and a process by breaking collaboration down into three pillars: ways of being, ways of doing, ways of becoming.
Ways of Being - Relationship focused
- Participants are caring & respectful of each other and the project they are involved with
- Participants are open and considerate of all members' opinion (equality)
- Participants are engaged in the process voluntarily and they understand shared goals
Ways of Doing - Action focused
- Participants mentor each other and help individuals realise their full potential
- Participants understand the importance of discussion (talk and listen)
- Participants make meaning of their work via reflection both socially and individually
Ways of Becoming - Transformation
- Participants develop the “social mind” through group reflection and internal knowledge is externalized to the group
- Participants engage in equitable work and action where every participant is treated equally
- Participants are transformed via reflection and meaning making as it pertains to the project
This approach to collaboration speaks to the humanistic nature of education. It applies to both teachers and students and if groups engage in collaborative setting, with this framework in mind, learning and growth can and will happen. After careful reflection, Goulet et. al (2003) redefine their view of meaningful collaboration from their “ways of” lens.
“We believe that collaborative projects are socially constructed in given cultural contexts at societal, institutional, and personal levels. The individual is part of that context and brings to the collaboration knowledge, experience, perspectives, and goals—all of which may be both personal and professional.”
L. Goulet, C. Krentz, H. Christiansen (2003)
The Changing Space of Collaboration
Collaboration is an ever evolving process and the spaces that we collaborate in are shifting to a more connected and global environment. In the past, collaborative groups would meet face to face in defined spaces to develop ideas and communicate information. In Where Good Ideas Come From (2011), Steven Johnson refers to coffee houses and salons as spaces where intellectuals would gather to share and nurture ideas. Although similar spaces still exist, our society is vigorously taking advantage of our ability to “digitally connect” from anywhere, with virtually anyone and at any time. Digital Collaboration is best defined as a process that involves the use of technologies to nurture valuable connections among people and organizations (Kumar, 2007). What motivates people to engage in digital collaboration?
Effective and valuable digital collaborative spaces should include the following:
- Engagement - Hypermedia found on the WWW provides a mix of sound, video, images, and text that provide the user with an immediate and engaging experience that words or face to face conversations can’t provide (Bolter, 2001)
- Global Connectivity - we can share and learn from one another and it is often the collision of two or more ideas, from people and/or groups from diverse and different parts of the world, that lead to innovative ideas
“It’s important to remember that the great driver of scientific innovation and technological innovation has been the historic increase in connectivity and our ability to reach out and exchange ideas with other people. What has happened that is really miraculous and marvelous over the last 15 years is that we have so many new ways to connect and so many new ways to reach out and find other people who have that missing piece that will complete the idea we’re working on . . . .
chance favors the connected mind.”
Steven Johnson (2010)
chance favors the connected mind.”
Steven Johnson (2010)
Infographic Summary