We live in a world that is increasingly promoting independence.  The tools, the technology, the information that is available is allowing us to become less dependent on people, organisations and even governments.  Is this good or bad?

For me, it depends on how we use the tools, the technology and the information we have access to.  In reality we can become so independent that we shut ourselves from or close our proverbial door to what is happening in our neighbourhood, our town, our province, our country, the world, and the scariest of all, our own minds (also known as our intelligence).  In the same way, we can lose touch with what our people, our clients, or other stakeholders may need from us.

When this happens, we may fall into a false sense of security – things are working, we are earning a reasonable income, we have no issues with cash flow, we have made it, etc…  this may be the case now, but the world is changing.  It has always been changing, but today it is changing at a pace like never before.  What you are doing, the way you operate, your view of the world may be relevant now; but this will change.  If you run a business, the threat of complacency, the threat of becoming too independent, the threat of not even being close to the station when the train departs is becoming increasingly real.

How do you ensure that you do not fall into this trap?  It is not that difficult, but you need to approach it with purpose and be rigorous in your resolve.  You need to realise that today (in a world where almost full independence is possible) you need to embrace interdependence more than ever; and that collaboration is a very powerful tool that promotes interdependence.

The first thing is we need to realise that we need to listen more and talk less… believe me, that is not easy, but oh so important.  Secondly, we need to ask more questions that allows us to get a deeper understanding of the person, their business, their circumstances, their dreams, their solutions, etc.  Collaboration becomes significantly more impactful when built on a foundation of trust, mutual reciprocity, and complete transparency.

When people and teams trust each other, they are more willing to share ideas, take risks, and work together towards common goals.  Reciprocity ensures that all parties are equally invested in the success of the collaboration, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and mutual benefit.  Full transparency allows for open communication, reducing misunderstandings and building a culture of honesty and integrity.  Together, these elements create a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, challenges are met with collective effort, and achievements are celebrated by all involved.

To grow yourself and/or your business, collaboration has become more important than ever.  When we collaborate, we learn new things about ourselves, our products, other people, their businesses, new trends, our flaws, new opportunities and many more things.

At wauko collaboration is part of our DNA and a core principle that has allowed us to innovate; and build the future in a way that enhances our value proposition, grows our network and most importantly the impact that we make for our clients and ultimately in our world.

I love talking about business, cash flow and people. Contact me if you find this article interesting and wish to collaborate on any of these subjects. Pieter le Roux on 021 819 7816 or pleroux@wauko.com