Want Collaboration? Spend Quality Time with Others

Triangle with Time, Money, Quality

Personal attention is one of the keys for collaboration.  What does personal attention mean?  We tend to focus on quality time with friends and family, but how can this play out at work or in a negotiation?

In general quality time can be with an individual or with a group. Individual quality time involves one on one time with someone.  What does it take?  It can simply be a recognition of the individual, an inquiry into what they are doing, asking what their concerns are and taking appropriate actions while listening with empathy.   It is important to look for and to build on common values.  Individuals appreciate when others truly listen and know that you are focusing attention on the individual.  Others want to be listened to.  They want to share their insights and feel that they have been heard.  Ask questions.  Really listen and consider their input.  Make them feel they have been listened to.  Show you care.

Group collaboration involves working with a larger team on specific activities.  Spending time with this group on both work and outside of work activities is important.  This can be with and without the leader of the group.  This is particularly favored with millennials. Hanging out together is both fun and bonding. Hanging out together also helps to reduce stress.

Paul White in his article 5 Languages Spotlight Quality Time offers insights besides recognition. He suggests spending time with someone goes a long way.  Think about this with your peers, associates, boss, subordinates and various stakeholders.

Contact me to speak to your group or consult with you. Check out my website, books and content. I am a Qualified Mediator with the Minnesota Supreme Court and an international speaker. I speak on how to overcome conflict with collaboration by taking advantage of the collaboration effect TM enhancing relationships, resources and revenues. My service areas are: business to IRS, business to business and within businesses. I have written 11 books including The Servant Manager and Peaceful Resolutions. I may be contacted directly at mg@mikegreg.com and at (651) 633-5311. [Michael Gregory, NSA, ASA, CVA; BS, MS and MBA]

About the author

Mike Gregory is a professional speaker, an author, and a mediator. You may contact Mike directly at mg@mikegreg.com and at (651) 633-5311. Mike has written 12 books (and co-authored two others) including his latest book, The Collaboration Effect: Overcoming Your Conflicts, and The Servant Manager, Business Valuations and the IRS, and Peaceful Resolutions that you may find helpful. [Michael Gregory, ASA, CVA, MBA, Qualified Mediator with the Minnesota Supreme Court]