There is a subtle but significant difference between teamwork and true collaboration. This difference is related to the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Members experience a sense of safety and connection that allows them to think and work together without fear. In this space innovation and the pursuit of excellence come naturally. There is something about the relationships themselves that changes the way members work together, the way they act and be together allowing for seamless inquiry, innovation, learning, and reflection-in-action.
What is it about the relationships in a collaboration that sets them apart? What is the “glue” that holds the whole together in this way? What are the connective structures that support this sense of wholeness? If we can identify this glue, perhaps we can more intentionally shift from high performance teams to generative collaborations.
What is your experience of collaboration such as described above? What were the connective structures that allowed a sense of safety and wholeness to emerge? How would you describe the relationships and what contributed to the dynamics among those collaborating?
I just read that according to Buddhist tradition, the glue is compassion. What would it mean for individuals in an organization to have compassion?