The collaborative mindset

So, how do you develop a collaborative mindset? Remember, mindset is basically aligned to the wiring of a human being. Therefore we behave according to our wiring. Over time this behaviour turns into a natural impulse almost like a habit. The great fact is that the human mind can be controlled by you, by changing your own outlook, habits, you can continuously keep re evolving and re inventing yourself to succeed. This is the magic called mindset mapping.

The first action you need to take is analyse your self. If you are hardwired to be a lone wolf and rigid about working in teams then it will take long for you to see results. Also you need to map your transition journey with time lines. Time as you know is the most valuable asset. No change really happens till you monitor change and measure it’s impact. Once you have decided to transit into a collaborative mindset what is the next step?

> Talk to businesses friends to get inputs.

> Get a reality check.

Our own perception of ourselves may not be entirely reliable. Check out the perception about others about you.

Are you a team player? Do you take criticism in your stride? Are you arrogant and you feel that you know it all? Once you have got answers from say ten people, you get a fair idea of your reflection in the mirror. Ensure that this feedback is honest or you can end up starting on the wrong foot.

Analysis can be very simple.

It’s feedback. So cluster together common answers, you will find that there will be two clear bunches of findings. Negative and positive. You must then create your own road map by strengthening your positives and combating your negatives. Once you have your roadmap ready for a collaborative mindset, you need to get into action. Create a buddy who can actually help you evolve. Keep measuring the change in your mindset and see the magic work. Now I will list the basic changes you need to make.

Simple but these changed create a great impact in creating winning collaborations.

There is this lovely quote, “ The mind is like a parachute. It works best when it’s open” declutter your mind and ease out all your rigidity. Meditation really helps to achieve this it’s a mind spa! Just be open to what people tell you, welcome new ideas and thoughts. Learn to accept criticism. If you develop an open mind you can evaluate suggestions and ideas without bias. And this approach is the right approach to create win-win collaborations!

Learn to work with teams rather then work in silo’s. Collaboration is not about giving direction it’s about getting the best in class results and cutting edge recommendations in an open and fair environment. The true leadership test in today’s fast changing world is to chalk out innovative ideas that disrupt. Strategy is merging with execution in the current era of business. What good is strategy without seamless execution? Actually implementation of strategy itself has been to monitor execution closely so that any change required can be made in real time. It’s called strategic execution. Learn to value the essence of time. The time you take with your team and the quick turn around needed for your external and internal clients. Also real time because you always need to be in that time zone to be future fit and future ready!

“It’s the long history of human kind that those who have learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed”. Charles Darwin