Collaborative Leadership

Although there are many types of leadership, in every industry that involves some creativity the most efficient one requires a particular approach across the team. I would describe it as the Collaborative Leadership. There are a few rules that — I believe — appear to work in such an environment.

Team as a customer

You should treat your teammates as customers. You need to sell them your ideas and decisions, and they should believe in them to trust you and follow your point of view.

Provide knowledge

Respected leader should manage most critical information on the project. He should be the bridge between the team and the customer. In case, if you don’t know something — the leader should be aware where to find required information.

Your team should take responsibility as well

The whole idea of the collaborative leadership, focus on one single principle — leader is the role in the team. And, you can share the role across the team. One of the most important is the responsibility for own actions. Every team member should take his part, not only because he also is responsible for the job of the team, but also, to be more connected to the results of the teamwork.

Everyone is equal

The leader is not better than the other team members. He shouldn’t behave as he is. The team doesn’t exist without the leader and the leader doesn’t exists without the team.

Independence is the king

Imagine that you are the chief officer in a tank. To survive the war, everyone has to know what to do. That is the best definition of a well working team. Everyone knows his or her role and can act respectively to the challenges and independently, without the assistance of the others. That is the ultimate team goal.

Focus on building rock solid team

You shouldn’t be afraid of failures. Usually, most people learn more from failures than from success. Keep in mind, that building the great team is the process and needs some time. Don’t expect that everything will be perfect from day one.

Reward your team

In the moments of triumph, don’t forget to celebrate the success. It bounds people and gives them more motivation to be even better.

Provide support when needed

You should watch the situation all the time and be sensitive for any weaknesses that might appear. Support you team whenever you see some room for improvements. They are expecting that from you. You are the guardian of your team, and you should protect your customer from the failure as well. So, always keep that in mind, even if your teammate wants to break something by mistake. It is your responsibility to avoid such a situations.