Collaboration, Innovation, and Trust!

What does it mean to collaborate? What does it mean to innovate? What does it mean to trust? In today’s world, the application of these three verbs, yes these are actions, is essential for leadership success! So understanding them is a necessity before we try to apply them.

To collaborate, the act of collaboration, means that a group of people work together to achieve a desired outcome. There is great strength in the collective energy and efforts of many people focused on the same outcome. When we collaborate, we put aside personal agendas and focus on the corporate agenda, and when I say corporate I mean: of or shared by a whole group and not just of a single member. (Cambridge Dictionary, on line) In too many “collaboration” efforts, management is just pulling people together to rubber stamp the process they want to use. Real collaboration requires no preconceived outcome from the efforts. Real collaboration expects innovation.

To innovate means to introduce new ideas and/or changes to what currently exists. It doesn’t mean to just repackage old ideas in new boxes. The content must be different than it was before. Too many managers really don’t want innovation. They see innovation as admitting that what they are currently doing is inadequate or wrong. We each must move from manager to leader. The entire concept of managing, exerting control over, should be applied to processes but never people, especially people that you hope will help you achieve your goals. Leading, on the other hand, suggests another approach to people all together. Leadership requires collaboration. Managing does not. Leadership expects innovation. Managing does not. True innovation is not an accident. It is the product of a process that relies on trust.

To trust means having a strong belief in the character, intentions, and integrity of others. Trust requires a level of vulnerability that many managers find too uncomfortable. But, real leaders understand that being vulnerable is a requirement of leadership. Despots and tyrants are not leaders. They erroneously believe that being vulnerable is an act of weakness. Quite to the contrary, vulnerability can only be displayed if you have the strength of character that allows people to trust you and follow you. Before those you hope to lead will trust you, you must first trust them.

Collaboration, Innovation, and Trust are essential for every Legacy Leader. You cannot be a Legacy Leader with out those three. you might find it difficult to take these actions but nothing worthwhile ever comes without significant effort. I challenge you to be open to collaboration, innovation, and trust. Your organization will remember you for those efforts.