Being a collaborative leader means considering everyone in the team an asset, a resource – including ourselves. It means that there’s no “boss”, but rather that everyone can contribute in their own ways, whatever their age, role or position. And people and ideas work together in unpredictable ways, so being collaborative requires flexibility.
People and ideas work together in unpredictable ways, so being collaborative requires us to be flexible and agile in our approach.
Collaboration is also about actively trying to work with people who have different perspectives and different skills to us (because of age, culture, role, interests, etc.). They can help us try new things and find creative solutions, and by building meaningful and constructive relationships, we can transform partners into allies.
• Be a team player, share positive energy, and be supportive of others.
• Bring together different contexts and perspectives.
• Use people’s differences as assets: everyone has something to bring to the team!
• Establish the structures, conditions and attitudes people need to thrive.
• Create a safe and positive environment where people feel free to take the initiative.
• Create enabling, inclusive chances to collaborate.
• Be attentive to potential conflicts and try to resolve them before they arise.
• Stop being afraid of asking for help. You are there for other people, but they are also there for you!
• Nurture girl leadership and intergenerational collaboration.
• Build wider networks and relationships and use them to strengthen the Movement.