It’s quite common for talented leaders to find collaboration uncomfortable. Perhaps you feel afraid of being overshadowed by a peer, you’re overly self-reliant, or you just find it difficult to trust people. Whatever the reason for your discomfort, here’s how you can push yourself to develop into a more effective and willing teammate. Start by challenging yourself to become more open to new ideas. Respecting others’ perspectives is a prerequisite for empathy and compassion, which are prerequisites for collaboration. Whenever you’re working closely with someone, ask questions to challenge your point of view and clarify theirs. You’ll send a strong signal that you care about their perspective, not just your own. Next, proactively identify which colleagues you rely on—and those who rely on you—and spend some informal time with them. Invest in those relationships. Collaboration is all about building and sustaining trust. Finally, look for opportunities to be generous, elevating others when you get nothing in return. Maybe you offer a favor, support someone’s strategic agenda, or share the spotlight when it’s shining on you. These gestures will not only build goodwill with your team, they’ll also build your confidence as a team player.
This tip is adapted from “When Leaders Struggle with Collaboration,” by Ron Carucci and Luis Velasquez
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