Collaboration seems simple
Simply bringing people together and spending time on a problem seems productive in itself.
But all too often, meetings and brainstorming sessions end up dominated by the loudest voices, while the quieter, perhaps more thoughtful, contributions get drowned out.
Just being in the same place at the same time isn’t effective collaboration. There’s much more to it.
“Circular Bike” – Robert Wechsler, 2003
This isn’t just a waste of talent – it’s a missed opportunity. True collaboration doesn’t just mean having bums on seats. It means creating an environment where everyone is able to participate effectively.
The real question is: Are you truly utilizing the potential of your collaborators, or are you inadvertently creating an environment where only a few voices are heard?
To break free from this trap, we need to foster conditions that encourage genuine participation and benefit from the diversity of thought that each individual brings to the table.
The following are two techniques that you can use in your next meeting to create the conditions for everyone to contribute.
Technique 1
Work Alone, Together
One of the simplest yet most effective techniques to ensure equal participation is “Work Alone, Together.”
The idea is straightforward: before diving into group discussions, give individuals time to work independently.
This method levels the playing field, giving everyone—from the most junior to the most introverted—a chance to formulate and jot down their ideas.
Why it works:
Encourages Diverse Ideas: By allowing individuals to think independently first, you surface a wider range of ideas, avoiding the pitfalls of groupthink where ideas converge too quickly and lack diversity.
Levels the playing field: It ensures that everyone, regardless of their position or confidence level, has an equal opportunity to contribute.
Prevents dominance: Reduces the chances of more vocal members overshadowing quieter ones.
Example: Consider a product development team at a tech company. During a brainstorming session for a new feature, the team leader asked everyone to spend 15 minutes writing down their ideas before any discussion began. The result? A plethora of innovative suggestions, many of which came from the quieter team members who otherwise might not have spoken up. The team ended up with a more comprehensive and creative list of potential features than they would have if they had jumped straight into a group discussion.
Technique 2
1-2-4-All
Building on the foundation of “Work Alone, Together,” the Liberating Structures technique known as “1-2-4-All” further enhances collaboration by systematically involving everyone in the discussion.
How it works:
Work Alone (1): Individuals first spend a few minutes reflecting and writing down their thoughts.
Pair Up (2): Next, they pair up to share their ideas with one other person.
Groups of Four (4): Pairs then join another pair to discuss and refine their ideas further.
All Together (All): Finally, the entire group comes together, with each group of four sharing their best ideas with everyone.
Why it works:
Builds Confidence: Gradually moving from individual work to larger group discussions helps build confidence in more introverted or junior members.
Refines Ideas: Each stage allows for ideas to be refined and improved upon before they are presented to the whole group.
Ensures Inclusion: Everyone’s voice is heard at each stage, ensuring that the final discussion is rich with diverse perspectives.
Example: A marketing team was tasked with developing a new campaign strategy. Using the 1-2-4-All technique, they started with individual brainstorming, then moved to pairs, then groups of four, and finally to a full team discussion. This approach not only ensured that every team member’s ideas were considered but also led to a more robust and well-rounded campaign strategy. The final outcome was a campaign that resonated well with a broader audience, precisely because it incorporated such a wide range of perspectives.
Creating Conditions for True Collaboration
True collaboration is not about filling a room with people; it’s about creating the right conditions for everyone to contribute meaningfully. These techniques—“Work Alone, Together” and “1-2-4-All”—are simple yet powerful tools to achieve this. They ensure that collaboration is not just a checkbox but a dynamic and inclusive process.
It’s a leader’s responsibility to foster an environment where every voice is heard and every idea is valued. Only then can we harness the full potential of our teams.
Ready to transform your team's collaboration dynamics?
Schedule a call with me for more information and to book a facilitated workshop incorporating these techniques and more.
