This post concludes my Savvy Professional series with tips for job search, interviewing skills, and critical skills for professional success in the modern workplace. It is the soft skills that create a competitive advantage when looking for a job or for a promotion. Another such skill is collaboration. Being willing and able to work well with others is key to career success. It is very rare to come across a job in which you’ll work completely alone. Most jobs require teamwork and collaboration. Individual roles and responsibilities unfold within a team context. Collaboration requires a big picture understanding of how each person is an important piece of the overall teamwork puzzle. Individuals are expected to accomplish the tasks assigned to them on their own. Collaboration doesn’t imply dumping work on others. It’s never a good strategy to rely on others to pick up the slack. Collaboration is about possessing a strong work ethic and making a consistent effort to produce high quality work. It’s about looking for ways to contribute to the success of the team. No professional is an island. Modern work life consists of interdependencies. Your decisions and work products affect others. Top 10 qualities of a great collaborator:
Team focus: align your personal goals and contributions to the team’s objectives and overall business strategy.
Respect: put yourself in others’ shoes and appreciate different work styles, approaches and perspectives.
Critical thinking: look beyond conventional solutions and connect the dots.
Communication: express ideas clearly, directly, and honestly.
Sharing: share the right information and resources with the right people at the right time.
Initiative: find ways to pitch in and make things work better.
Reliability: mean what you say & deliver on your commitments.
Flexibility: meet challenges and create new opportunities within them.
Adaptability: there are opportunities to lead in every role we take. Know when it’s time to lead and when to follow.
Appreciation: recognize the things that others do best and thank them for their contributions.
I hope that the ideas I’ve offered on strengthening professional skills and supporting professional development will help you keep your career moving in the right direction and create a successful career path. But remember to enjoy the journey. I believe we are most successful when we maintain a healthy life balance and appreciate the special moments we get to experience every day. Life is not like the movie Groundhog Day. We don’t get to repeat any day or have do-overs. Be open to the possibilities that come with each new day to connect with others, contribute to the greater good, and celebrate small wins.
