Want More Collaboration in Your Team?

In any team, collaboration is the magic ingredient for success. But collaboration isn’t something that just happens—it’s carefully cultivated and maintained. Here, we’ll explore ways to strengthen collaboration, highlight practices to avoid, and illustrate how CliftonStrengths® can help teams play to their unique mix of talents.

Setting the Scene for Collaboration

A team thrives when each member feels valued for their strengths. As Gallup’s research shows, teams that focus on strengths are 12.5% more productive and see nearly 9% greater profitability. When each member understands not only their strengths but also those of their teammates, collaboration naturally deepens. People begin to recognise where they fit, how they complement others, and how to tackle challenges together.

But there are two crucial factors that pave the way for such collaboration:

1. Clear Mission and Purpose: Everyone needs to understand the “why” behind the work. When a team shares a common purpose—whether it’s a business goal or solving a pressing problem—it creates alignment and motivation?.
2. Recognition of Unique Contributions: Each team member should know what they bring to the table and where they can lean on others. Recognising that one person’s tricky task is another’s superpower can eliminate frustration and build respect within the team.

Leveraging CliftonStrengths for Team Collaboration

CliftonStrengths provides a lens to understand not only individual talents but also team dynamics. For instance:

• Achievers push themselves and others towards goals with energy and stamina. Their natural drive to “get things done” can inspire the team to reach deadlines but can also make them impatient in drawn-out brainstorming sessions?.
• Relators value deep relationships, making them natural connectors in a team. They’re the ones who can sense if morale is low or if someone needs extra support, fostering a close-knit, resilient environment? but can also find themselves working in silo’s with those they know and trust the most.
• Strategic thinkers might see multiple ways to tackle a challenge and spark creativity. Their big-picture mindset can help guide the team around potential obstacles, although they may get frustrated with routine, tactical work?.

With these insights, teams can assign tasks that align with individual strengths and adapt their collaboration style. For example, having an Achiever lead a time-sensitive project or tapping into a Relator’s or a Woo’s network-building skills for client relations can unlock hidden potential within the team.

Practical Tips to Enhance Collaboration

Here are some strategies to make collaboration smoother, especially with a strengths-based approach:

1. Start with Self-Reflection: Have each team member take the time to reflect on their strengths and how they best contribute to team goals. Revisiting CliftonStrengths results regularly helps reinforce understanding, like building a muscle through repetition, while simultaneously fostering confidence and strengthening new neural pathways.
2. Create Open Dialogue: Encouraging conversations about strengths and challenges leads to a more empathetic and understanding team. Using creative approaches, like picture cards, allows team members to express complex ideas visually, which can help bridge communication gaps and enhance understanding?.
3. Build Trust Gradually: Trust is the bedrock of any successful team, but it doesn’t develop overnight. Build it by fostering reliability and consistency—people trust those who do what they say they’ll do. A supportive team culture, where members regularly share feedback and recognise each other’s contributions, builds trust over time?. Check out this resource for asking deeper questions on Trust.

What Can Derail Collaboration?

While strengths-focused collaboration is powerful, there are pitfalls to avoid. Here are a few common issues:

• Over-Reliance on Similar Strengths: If a team leans heavily on one talent (e.g., everyone has high Command but little Harmony), it can create friction. Balancing strengths across a team helps to cover blind spots and build a more resilient group.
• Poor Communication: Misunderstandings can arise if team members are unaware of each other’s styles. For example, an Activator’s quick decisions may clash with someone’s Deliberative approach. Ensuring everyone has a basic understanding of each other’s strengths can alleviate these issues. Consider a debrief for me people joining the team and a way to share what they bring and need in a central document.
• Neglecting Strengths Development: While knowing one’s strengths is powerful, developing and adapting them is essential. Teams should be encouraged to grow in their strengths and recognise potential ‘blind spots’ (watch out for in the report) to avoid derailments like burnout or frustration??.

Bringing It All Together

Great collaboration is about creating an environment where each team member feels seen, valued, and empowered to contribute.  By understanding and leveraging strengths, teams can overcome common pitfalls, boost morale, and increase productivity. For those looking to take collaboration to the next level, CliftonStrengths offers a framework that celebrates individual talent, builds trust, and empowers teams to achieve together.

For those looking to make a lasting impact, rather than a once and done, consider diving deeper into CliftonStrengths through workshops, coaching, or strengths-based exercises—because when it comes to teamwork, everyone’s strength is a building block for success.