Time and time again, history and experience have proven more can be accomplished by many than by an individual. It is not surprising this truism extends to the workplace in the form of collaboration. Collaboration is a buzz word in business today. Companies are trending toward open-office environments and even pulling remote employees back into the office to facilitate cross pollination of ideas. There is much to be gained from understanding the benefits of effective collaboration in the workplace.
In a collaborative work environment, businesses are able to complete more projects. There is efficiency in numbers. When work is delegated strategically, tasks are assigned by competency and bandwidth. This ensures the task will not only be completed well, but in a timely manner.
Sharing ideas and suggestions promotes cross-functional understanding within departments. Brainstorming in a group setting allows individuals to think outside of their specialty or niche area. Greater awareness of business operations inspires cohesive work. It also puts employees in a position to better serve internal stakeholders. After all, your coworkers are also your clients.
Lastly, positive collaborative environments increase employee engagement. Frequent communication allows team members to develop bonds. Humans are social creatures by nature. Workers who feel their input and work is valued by their management and team are more motivated to contribute and less likely to leave.
Collaboration inspires work that is efficient, cross-functional, and valued. When a workplace environment is conducive to producing this type of work, everybody wins, not just the business.