Most of the problems we have to solve at work are too big for any individual to handle. There are too many different areas of knowledge needed to be successful. The projects require too much time for one person to do in a timely fashion. And, the tasks that need to be done are not always the most appropriate for one person to carry out.
As a result, these projects must be done collaboratively. Unfortunately, effective collaborations don’t just happen naturally. They have to be built. Sadly, we don’t teach people how to do this well. As I often say, most of our education is an individual sport, while much of work life is a team sport.
So, here are three big collaboration mistakes people make: