We talk about collaboration a lot, because seldom is the time when we don’t want to be collaborating more effectively. We want to do what we do better, quicker and more effectively. We want to work well with our colleagues.
And there are lots of ways to be more collaborative. From making better use of technology, to communicating more effectively, to thinking of new ways to be sharing. We can always be exploring innovative ways to work with other people and teams at our congregations.
But that’s a lot of things to be thinking about. Maybe instead we could be thinking about one thing. One positive, specific thing. Because if we do this one thing, this one incredibly important, powerful thing, it will lead to more teamwork, more partnership and more collaboration.
Be transparent. Don’t be a little transparent, be a lot transparent. Uncomfortably transparent. Lead with transparency. Embrace transparency. Talk about transparency. Brag about transparency. There are different ways this can be done.
Always share what you are working on. Get input from your colleagues before your work is done, before it is perfect. That may sound uncomfortable, but doing so gives you an opportunity to get valuable feedback, to learn what you may be missing, and to be better connected to the work of others.
Always be curious. Transparency only works when you have someone to be transparent with. It’s not just about you giving others access to your work, but others need to give you access to their work, and you need to take advantage of that transparency. Open the floodgates and let the mighty rivers of information flow!
Always be strategic. You are not being transparent just to show your colleagues that you can be transparent. What do you hope to learn through your transparency? What do you hope to gain? How can your work best be framed through your transparency to get the feedback that will help you the most?
When we are more transparent, we do better work. Our congregations become stronger, and our partnerships become more sacred. So do that. Be transparent.
Larry Glickman, FTA | Microsoft MVP
Director, Reform Movement Marketplace
Strengthening Congregations
- Sharon Rosenberg-Scholl likes this.
