BJA | TDM

Why/Context:

1. Over the last decade, some of my most used words have been cross functional collaboration, partnership, collectively, We and together. 

Not intended to charm or sound inspirational and be labelled as a team player. These words have been a key fabric of my vocabulary simply because I have always genuinely believed that’s the only way to go for accelerated progress in life and business. 

2. Exponential and sustainable growth is achieved collectively in life and business. 

Going alone is always an option and optimal within a limited scope, going together with a shared outcome delivers more on the long run but could also optimise and maximise the strengths in the room for real genuine impact. 

How: 

1. It always starts and ends with people. They run the systems that deliver value, machines and tech are only enablers. Value and progress will always hinge on a collective unit bound by a common goal. 
2. Approach with an open mind, with a goal to leave with a simplified and poignant problem statement and intersection point that the group can all rally round. 
3. Build the scene, genuinely seek to understand the holistic viewpoint in the room – systems thinking. Systems are built on people, and would always be needed for value. Securing buy-in or a commitment to try is critical – sit on framing the problem, aiming to build an objective context of the realities as much as possible. 
4. Laser focus on the 1% and how we all win. Low hanging fruits are the blood line of an emerging partnership. Smallest tangible action to move the next needed clue or shared ambition forward.
5. Define the role play, commitments, nurture and invite skin in the game,  accountability lines. Define, over time establish and recalibrate what the success of the partnership and collaboration should look like and by when.
6. Build a feedback and shared vision loop, actively propagating compelling story lines and narratives emerging – hopefully inspiring learnings, wins for sustained partnership or realignment. 
7. Important that everyone involved continue to see a reason to invest in the partnership –  aggressively preserve, pose and unpack some of these reflective triggers from time to time and when there is a strain on the partnership.  E.g. ⬇️

• I would like us to remember – why we all started – what’s in it for all of us and our teams, customers & stakeholders – why this mattered and what we all committed to.
• We only deliver this goal if we pull together and lean in – we all want the same thing and perhaps only differ on the how, etc.