This document outlines common challenges to collaboration and provides tips for overcoming them. The main challenges are a lack of trust between collaborators when ideas are not respected, inefficient communication without the right tools, and a lack of shared vision when stakeholders have different goals. To collaborate successfully, the document recommends promoting open communication in a welcoming environment, uniting the team behind a common vision and goal, and using practical tips like visuals, clear timelines, and a discussion facilitator.

1. A FIELD GUIDE TO
COLLABORATION
Presented by: Aciron Consulting, Inc

2. Common Challenges
LACK OF TRUST
NOT HAVING A
SHARED VISION
INEFFICIENT
COMMUNICATION
LOSING MOMENTUM

3. LACK OF
TRUST
In a collaborative environment, group
members must feel that their ideas are
respected and valued by their colleagues.
However, the competitive and autocratic
management style that dominates many
organizations leaves employees
uncomfortable sharing their ideas.

4. INEFFICIENT
COMMUNICATION
The environment in which communication
occurs needs to promote the free exchange of
ideas. Otherwise, group members may feel too
vulnerable to express their thoughts and
opinions.
Plus, if a company doesn't have the right
communication tools/channels to exchange
ideas, then projects may break down as they
loses momentum

5. The lack of a shared vision can cause
collaborators to become frustrated as they
argue over the direction that the initiative
should take.
When each key stakeholder has a different
goal for the project, the group cannot work
together effectively because there is no
common vision for the end product.
NOT HAVING A SHARED
VISION

6. If an initiative takes too long to get started
or progress is delayed, then collaborators
may lose interest or become occupied with
other things.
Additionally, a lack of momentum can
cause collaborators to lose faith that the
project will be successful and stop
participating all together because they will
not want to invest their time and energy.
LOSING MOMENTUM

7. HOW TO COLLABORATE
SUCCESSFULLY

8. A welcoming environment helps
build
trust, as people will know that
their
opinions are respected and valued.
Encourage active participation from all
team members by emphasizing
cooperation and creativity. There are no
"bad" ideas during brainstorming
sessions,
so participate freely!
PROMOTE OPEN &
HONEST
COMMUNICATION

9. Take the time at the beginning of every
new project to formulate the high-level
objectives for the initiative, and use this as
your guiding force throughout the project.
Whenever there are conflicting opinions on
the best course of action to take, you can
refer back to the common goal and make
decisions that align with this vision.
UNITE YOUR TEAM
BEHIND A COMMON
VISION AND GOAL

10. Practical Tips and Tricks
USE VISUALS
A picture speaks a
thousand words!
Sometimes the best
way to communicate an
idea is by sketching a
quick mock up on the
whiteboard or using rapid
prototyping tools. By
eliminating ambiguity,
visuals can help ensure
that everyone in the room
is on the same page.
ESTABLISH A
CLEAR
TIMELINE FOR
THE PROJECT
. Your timeline should
include
not only a projected
completion date, but also
a schedule for regular
check-ins over the course
of the project.
APPOINT A
DISCUSSION
FACILITATOR
This person can ensure
that everybody
gets a chance to
participate and that
nobody highjacks the
conversation.
A discussion moderator
can also make sure that
each meeting is
purposeful and results in
actionable items.

11. LET'S TALK!
EMAIL ADDRESS
info@aciron.com
PHONE NUMBER
617.245.0497
WEBSITE
www.aciron.com