Collaboration: A Bedrock for Innovation
This month, we are thrilled to feature insights from another one of our amazing partner organizations and collaborators: Dr. Oge Austin-Chukwu and Lisa Leonce of the Sheerah Network revisiting the theme we all love of collaboration.
Collaboration is like mixing various ingredients to create a new recipe. When individuals with diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences come together, they bring unique insights and ideas to the table. Like every recipe, each ingredient is important and adds a different dimension to the finished product. It takes courage and humility to invite people from diverse backgrounds to collaborate. There’s the risk that individuals will have to think and act differently, and let go of some pre-conceptions or biases. In making room for others one is in effect taking up less room themselves. The benefits will however, usually outweigh the perceived risks.
We often celebrate innovation without realizing it only materializes as a result of collaboration. As Canadian scientist Vaclav Smil asserts, "Collaboration and augmentation are the foundational principles of innovation." Apple echoed this in its 2016 report on promoting inclusion and diversity, stating, “The most innovative company must also be the most diverse.”
At Sheerah Network, we understand the power of collaboration and are delighted to be a part of the transformational Collaborative Leadership learning experience that Next Leadership have designed. Here are just a few ways that collaboration inspires innovation – a key aspect of longevity and success for organisations.
Diverse Perspectives Collaboration with people from different backgrounds, disciplines, and cultures exposes individuals to new ways of thinking, sparking creativity by challenging assumptions and encouraging novel problem-solving approaches. While working with like-minded people may seem easier, diversity brings opportunities for beneficial conflict.
Synergy When multiple minds collaborate, they build upon each other's ideas, generating innovative solutions that may not have been possible individually. This synergy fosters creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. When ethnicity, cultural background, education, gender and life experiences combine in this way, magic happens. This is why diverse mastermind groups are so effective.
Shared Knowledge Collaboration allows individuals to leverage each other's expertise and skills, leading to a deeper understanding of the problem at hand. By pooling their knowledge, collaborators can tackle complex challenges more effectively and efficiently. Research shows that “the probability of success increases when firms use collaboration to support innovation efforts.”
Feedback Collaboration provides a platform for continuous feedback and iteration. Sharing ideas and receiving input helps refine concepts, identify weaknesses, uncover opportunities, and drive innovation forward.
Cross-Pollination of Ideas Collaboration often involves exchanging ideas across disciplines or industries, leading to the adaptation of successful strategies from one context to another, and spurring innovation through fresh perspectives.
Increased Resource Pool Collaboration grants access to a wider range of resources, including funding, technology, and manpower. This expanded resource pool enables the exploration of new avenues, calculated risks, and ambitious projects leading to breakthrough innovations.
Culture Successful collaborations foster a culture of innovation by celebrating creativity, valuing diverse perspectives, and encouraging teamwork. Such environments inspire individuals to take risks, experiment with new ideas, and push boundaries.
In essence, collaboration catalyses innovation by bringing together collective intelligence, creativity, and resources needed to tackle complex challenges and drive meaningful change.
An African proverb puts it well: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Dr Oge Austin-Chukwu is a Leadership & Executive Coach and Entrepreneur. She is the Founder/Director of several businesses including the social enterprise Sheerah Network that empowers people of colour to flourish in their leadership and equips organisations to implement and monitor diversity, equity and inclusion. Oge also serves on the board of The Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust and is Chair of the Board of Trustees at Freedom 2, a non-profit organization.
