We start with the premise that the nature of work is interdependent – that the efforts and results of any person, team, project, etc. are connected to the efforts and results of others. Collaboration, then is coordinated interdependence. It’s people who could act otherwise choosing to align actions to achieve a shared end or objective. It’s a conscious, intentional act of working with rather than working against.
Typically, this involves shaping a problem and solution in such a way that the parties affected contribute to the description and definition, thereby meeting separate and shared interests. Differences, disagreement, expressions of strong emotion – none of these mean coordinated interdependence has ended, so long as participants retain the intent to shape what happens – together. So long as they maintain their commitment to working with each other.
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