One of my colleagues thinks that collaboration is all about someone ordering other people to do stuff. “Just do what I tell you to do — I know best” seems to be his guiding definition of what a collaborative relationship should be.

Another thinks that collaboration is all about everyone knowing what they’re supposed to do — without agreeing on a common landing, a common story, a common goal. “Just do your thing whilst I do mine” seems to be her mantra.

How deeply flawed are they.

In another life, I saw collaboration in practice — politics and turfs and personal agenda and egos were set aside to achieve a goal that has been predefined clearly and agreed upon by everyone.

And it was glorious.

It was not less work and less difficult work — our tasks were never short on challenges. But what smooth sailing process was working with everyone.

How I miss those days.

And how I wish I could instill that definition of collaboration in the company.