Psychology for Business
eNewsletter
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We are dedicated to bringing out
the best in you and your employees
Vol.1, No.1
November 3, 2000
The Collaborative Edge – Why Cooperation is Good for Business.
by Dr. John Weaver,
Business Psychologist Independent Consultant
Is it survival of the fittest? Or do those who “fit in” survive?
Fact: Each of us has only a part of the information or expertise we need to get things done.
Robert Kelly, of Carnegie-Mellon University asked people
“What percentage of the knowledge you need to do your job is stored in your own mind?” In 1986 the answer was
typically about 75%. By 1997 workers estimated that they had only about 15% to 20% of the knowledge
needed in their own mind.
Fact: The group mind is far more intelligent than the individual mind.
In one research study, students studied and worked in groups during a college course. At the final exam, one
portion was taken individually and additional set of questions was given to the group. Ninety-seven percent
of the time, the group scores were higher than those of the best individuals of the group.
Fact: The critical element of the collaborative edge lies in the members’ relationship skills.
Key skills for collaborative efforts include: having strong interpersonal skills, having at least one member with
high-IQ (necessary but not sufficient), and having members committed to the goals of the group.
(Source: “Working with Emotional Intelligence”, by Daniel Goleman, Ph.D.)
Living in the competitive atmosphere of the modern business world can blind businesses to an important fact:
cooperation is critical to survival. While we focus on outdoing our competitors, we must also keep an eye out
for opportunities to increase collaboration.
Cooperation is the hallmark of human success. No other
living species depends on group collaboration as much as humans. We have succeeded as a species because
we have depended on each other. Protection from predators or extremes of weather have been devised and
constructed by cooperation among teams of workers. An abundance of food supplies is created by a partnership of
growers, machine builders, transporters and vendors who support huge numbers of individuals who do not grow
their own food. Even our knowledge system, passed on from individual to individual and from generation to
generation is a monument to the capacity for collaborative effort among humans. Examples of
cooperation are so prevalent in our lives that we often
overlook them.
Collaborative efforts have many names: teamwork, strategic alignments, partnerships or networking, to list a
few. When we cooperate, we create a “win-win” situation where both parties benefit. Businesses, like the larger
human community, cannot prosper without such alliances.
Here are some essentials for creating effective and productive partnerships:
1. Reach out to make connections. Collaborating on
common projects, identifying resources, and
supporting each other is an investment in our future.
2. Remember to balance focus on tasks with attention to
relationships. Relationships will outlast
the current task. Longevity in business is dependent on effective building of
cooperative relationships.
3. Share plans, information, and resources. This
expands your status; it does not diminish your value.
In the information age, those who provide valuable information are precious assets.
4. Model the qualities you want to receive.
If you want to
be respected, you must show respect. This is
a variation of the golden rule.
5. Discuss the common goals of the group.
Discuss
them frequently. Keep the common vision in
awareness constantly.
6. Share credit.
We are not successful by ourselves.
Make sure to tell those who contribute to your
success how valuable they are.
About the Author
John Weaver Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist with 22
years’ professional experience working with organizations, groups, and individuals. He has experience leading groups
and creating teamwork in organizations. His areas of expertise include assisting teams and individuals to improve
performance under stress, assessing employees and potential employees to ensure the right person for the right job,
working toward conflict resolution, and training in stress management and “stress hardiness” skills for individuals
and groups. He is an experienced public speaker.
Based in Waukesha, WI, Dr. John Weaver is available for consultation or coaching by phone, e-mail or in person. He
may be reached at (262) 544-9918 (office) or (414) 491-8719 (cell), by e-mail at
jweaver@psychologyforbusiness.com or:
John Weaver, Psy.D.
Psychology for Business
2717 North Grandview Boulevard, Suite 303
Waukesha, Wisconsin, 53188
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Dr. John Weaver has an article published in the November issue of Executive Update Magazine. It is titled,
“Surviving Real World Stress.” It addresses the unique challenges faced by work teams under
stress. You can view the article in Executive
Update Magazine. It is the lead article in the
print edition.
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(c) Copyright 2000. All rights reserved. John Weaver. Distribution rights: The above material is copyrighted, but
you may retransmit or distribute it to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added or deleted,
including the contact information. If you would like to reprint part of this newsletter please contact me at
newsletter@psychologyforbusiness.com to make arrangements.
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