Here's how you can conquer obstacles in team collaboration.

In my experience trust amongst teams is built from clarity in roles and expectations, whose doing what, and doing what you say you’re going to do. People trust those they can rely on to pull their weight, take accountability for their actions, support struggling team members and speak the truth. People distrust those that use excuses for not doing their best work, blame others for their failures and deflect blame. It comes down to basic human behaviours of knowing someone is taking care of their part of the greater plan to enable the team to collect move forward and achieve their goals as one. A winning team creates a sense of security and connectivity between the players, which you could call the golden thread of trust.

I’ve found creating high performing teams comes down to creating clarity and team buy-in to the overall goal/vision (the jigsaw) and role clarity (whose responsible for each piece). It’s important to understand each individual’s innate strengths so that they can make the greatest impact and contribute towards collective success and growth.

In my experience flexibility in thinking is essential if progress is to occur. I’ve often found those with fixed mindsets compared to those with growth mindsets can not only negatively affect the culture and team moral, they can limit progress. It’s imperative in today’s fast paced world of work that the art of the possible is not only encouraged in teams but is expected and is as equally important as turning up for work and being ‘present’ (bringing your whole self to work).

Certainly, collaboration can be challenging at times due to misunderstandings or contextual differences. Fostering inclusion and ensuring everyone's voices are heard can resolve such obstacles existing within enterprises or organizations. Encouragement of flexibility instead of rigidity can also create favorable conditions for enterprising innovations and improve collaborative efficiency.

Start by setting clear expectations and goals. Ensure everyone understands their roles, responsibilities, and the desired outcomes. Use specific, measurable language to avoid ambiguity and confusion. Create open, regular channels for communication. Schedule stand-up meetings, use collaboration tools, and encourage ongoing dialogue. Foster a safe environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and constructive feedback. Ask questions to understand different perspectives and find common ground. Above all, lead by example. Model active listening, clear communication, and a willingness to adapt. When you set the tone for open, effective communication, your team will follow.

Encouraging open and honest communication within the team creates a culture of transparency and trust, allowing team members to express their ideas, concerns, and feedback freely. It ensures that all the team members are in sync.

First Solve the Problem tackling obstacles, then we can disect the reasons. Obstacles serve as stepping stones to success in team relationship building, fostering collaboration, leveraging each other's strengths, and problem-solving together. When success is attained, it's celebrated as a win for the entire team.

Maintaining a positive attitude and resilience in the face of challenges is key to conquering obstacles in team collaboration. Embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning can strengthen the team's bond and lead to more resilient and adaptable collaboration in the future.