The document discusses collaboration and the importance of collaboration in the workplace. It identifies collaboration as the sixth "C" that is a pillar of professional success, along with competence, courage, communication skills, consistency, and compassion. It provides 10 strategies for improving collaboration, such as taking initiative, being open about intentions to collaborate, and agreeing on conflict resolution systems. It also lists 5 ways to improve one's "collaboration quotient" or CQ, such as committing to staying positive and practicing self-awareness and awareness of others. The overall message is that collaboration allows individuals and teams to achieve exponentially greater results.

1. By: Metahumin Consulting
What is your Collaboration Quotient?
Sanjeev Joshi EQ Fellow, CIE, PMP
CEO Metahumin Consultancy Pvt Ltd.

2. The sixth ‘C’ – Collaboration .
Sanjeev Joshi, CEO Metahumin consultancy
Competence, Courage, Communication skills, Consistency, Compass and Collaboration are
the pillars for are the pillars for the professional success. Collaboration is the action of
working with someone to accomplish something. Michael Dell has said that
‘Collaboration equals Innovation’. How employees by collaborate & contribute towards
overall growth of the organization.
Need for collaboration .
1. Some tasks are meant to be team tasks e.g. Orchestra, flying passenger aeroplane,
engineering work.
2. Greater results vs individual achievements. To get exponential results over individual
achievement is only possible through collaboration e.g. project, research, innovation.
All great results have come by means of collaboration. Collaborative spirit takes us to the
‘green zone’ which is characterised with positive attitude, sense of accomplishment,
winners reside. On contrary deployment of low CQ (collaboration quotient) takes us into
‘red zone’ which is characterised by HALT ( Hunger, Anger, Lonely & Tired). Choice is yours
. Be intentional towards staying in ‘Green Zone’.

3. How to bring in Paradigm Shifts towards Collaboration?
• Increase self awareness - Fully aware of your strengths & weaknesses. Play as per
your SWOT.
• Become non-defensive - Open minded towards others keeping focus on noble
goals.
• Check your assumptions – Avoid being judgemental.
• Compassion for your own feelings. Establish pattern of your feeling and its
outcomes.
• Be flexible, no rigidity of any form .
• Positive thinking towards work, life .
• Ten Collaboration Strategies
1. Go first. Take initiative to reach out & show intention to collaborate.
2. Be open & direct about your intent to collaborate. Use collaboration to form
synergy.
3. Pay attention to response. One positive response may lead to multi-fold positive
actions.
4. Keep talking. Show empathy. Practice high social-awareness.
5. Respond quickly when others cooperate. Engage, enrol & on-board others on
your mission.
6. Agree ahead of time on systems for conflict resolution as a best practice to
overcome conflict.

4. 7. Conduct periodic reviews & actively monitor relationships.
8. Use graduated sanctions. Don’t react harshly if something goes wrong, gradually
raise the escalation.
9. Make a commitment to highest ethical standards. Raise yourself up when others go
down.
10. Use interest based problem solving to negotiate disputes
5 ways to improve CQ
1.Intention to stay in green zone. Make collaboration as choice.
2.Truthfulness – Practise awareness, openness & honesty. Remember results come later
but truthfulness is seen instantly which is helpful to win over the hearts of colleagues.
3. Self accountability is ones rating of value addition. Work towards adding value to the
challenges surrounding you.
4.Self awareness & awareness of others – Work on self esteem, cement positive
behaviour, enhance feeling of competence.
5.Problem solving & Negotiating skills – Think win-win, forge alliance & practise ‘ to give
is to get’.
Above collaboration strategies & ways to improve CQ you help you to achieve greater
collaboration. “None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small
things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful." – Mother Teresa