There's no question that collaboration is essential to success in any field. But when it comes to your career, collaboration can be the difference between stagnation and progression. To move forward in your career, you need to work well with others. This means networking with colleagues, collaborating on projects, and building relationships with key players in your industry.

The support and mentoring you might receive from your leadership are important. So too, the relationships you build with your colleagues can be just as helpful in furthering your career.

By working collaboratively, you can share ideas, brainstorm solutions to problems, and get feedback on your work. These interactions can not only help you improve your performance but also give you a better understanding of the people you work with and how they operate. In addition, collaborating with your colleagues can also help you build a network of contacts that can be invaluable as you progress in your career.

Collaboration isn't always easy

There are the push-and-pull dynamics of working with others, the need to compromise, and the occasional ego clash. If you can learn to navigate these challenges, you'll find that collaboration with the intent to build relationships can be a powerful tool for career advancement.

Collaborating remotely

In the new way of virtual work, where we are not in the same physical space as our colleagues, it is especially difficult to collaborate effectively. Managing conflict, communicating effectively, and staying organised can be challenging when you're not working face-to-face. In short, we need to do more "communicating" and do it more effectively. Consider increasing interactions with colleagues through the available technology. Establish routine check-ins to set expectations and accountability, be more open to new ideas, and be deliberate about creating collaboration opportunities. When we do this authentically, we lead by example and create an environment where everyone can succeed.

What about Trust?

Trust is another nuanced concept when it comes to collaboration. One that takes work to attain and can be taken away in a split second. We need to trust our colleagues enough to share our ideas and give up some control to allow for the best possible outcome. This can be a difficult balance to strike. However, it's important to remember that trust is essential to any successful relationship. If we want our colleagues to trust us, we need to be willing to trust them.

How do we build trust when you're an ‘outsider’ trying to join an established team?

If you're the new person on a team, it's often not easy to gain the trust of your colleagues. There are two possible ways that trust can be earned in this situation. The first is to be competent and add value to the team. If you demonstrate that you have something to offer, your colleagues will more likely trust you. The second way to build trust is through relationships. If you can take the time to get to know your colleagues and build relationships with them, they will be more likely to trust you more readily.

Diversity & Inclusion

With diversity and inclusion the focus of many organisations today, it's more important than ever to learn how to work with people from all backgrounds. Cultural competence is no longer a "nice-to-have" nor an attribute reserved for management. It is vital, no matter your role or length of work experience. Collaborating with others can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in what is already an interconnected global economy, opening up opportunities for further career growth.

Effective collaborators are well-aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Communicating effectively, managing conflict, and staying organised are all disciplines that you can strengthen. You also need to be able to trust your colleagues and earn their trust in return. Understanding and honing these skills can set you up for success in any collaborative venture.

Has collaboration been difficult to establish for you and your team since remote work became the norm? Share your thoughts in the comments.