Six key elements for creating a culture of collaboration

1. Commitment in terms of aligning and obligating one’s self to achieving a common objective, goal, or vision.

Behaviors: Evaluate and improve your level of commitment when working with others;
become aware of your behavior in a crisis; become a voice for prevailing in a crisis—learn
to stick with others to the end.

2. Respect in terms of acceptance of the inherent value and equality of others; particularly
where differences are prominent.

Behaviors: Learn to accept the differences in opinions, ideas, and the inherent values of
others when you collaborate—use conflict for new learning.

3. Trust in others to live up to their agreements, obligations, and responsibilities—both interpersonal
and professional.

Behaviors: Create a personal environment of trust by i) not participating in gossip, ii) living
up to your agreements/obligations/responsibilities, iii) and retaining the confidences of
others—earn the characteristic of begin trustworthy.

4. Inclusion in terms of transcending (not eliminating) one’s own personal identification to
become part of a greater whole; to create a unity of one.

Behaviors: Begin to extend your working relationships to people beyond your comfort
zone; be less judgmental of others; and combine ideas more, rather than using a win/
lose approach—broaden your perspective of others and yourself.

5. Leadership in terms of enhancing the growth, skills, and performance of others, regardless
of status, position, or title.

Behaviors: Delegate, assign, or seek assistance from others where there is an opportunity
to share your learning and/or gain new skills—lead by making others more successful.
Invest in your personal stock.

6. Creativity and Innovation in terms of conceptualizing, expressing, and integrating inside
and outside of mainstream thinking.

Behaviors: Use creative brainstorming for solutions rather than only one established way
of doing things; be open to out-of-the-box thinking rather than out right rejection—make
unusual ideas work.