10. Collaborative Management Practice

If people can’t see what they need to do, then we should not be surprised if they don’t know what to do, and rich pictures can be very helpful to resolve this representation crisis.

When there is strong and shared belief in new decisions, and people can see that the benefits outweigh the costs, people will automatically take action to implement the decisions.

Securing commitments requires determination and a willingness to engage in courageous conversations about the who, what, when, where, how and why involved in ensuring that people agree exactly ‘what they will do tomorrow’.

The best collaboration systems are so manageable that they are self-managing via a in-built feedback mechanism that regulates the system on an ongoing basis.

There is a limit to informal facilitation and it is not possible to facilitate a conversation if you don’t attend in person.

Ironically, well-designed collaboration systems may be so manageable that they pass the laryngitis test. However, it is still essential to introduce opportunities for social grooming to encourage good interpersonal relationships.