Benefits of Collaboration

Working collaboratively means a team shares its tasks, ideas and decisions rather than each person solving problems alone. When staff work together, the team gains in several ways at once.

Better work, done faster

Sharing tasks and skills removes duplicated effort, so productivity and efficiency rise: one person can draft a section while another checks it, finishing the work sooner. Collaboration also feeds creativity. Seeing a colleague's rough idea often sparks a better one, so new ideas are generated and shared instead of staying locked in one person's head. Staff also learn from each other, picking up shortcuts, techniques and confidence they would not gain working alone, which leads to better ways of doing things and improved creativity across the whole team.

A stronger, happier team

Talking regularly leads to improved communication and understanding, because people get used to explaining their thinking and asking questions. Shared work is also team building, developing team skills such as listening, agreeing roles and giving feedback. Staff who feel their contribution is noticed become more engaged, and a shared plan gives everyone greater equality rather than one voice deciding everything.

• Happier staff and boosted morale: being trusted with a task and thanked for it makes work feel worth doing, which improves the working atmosphere and mental health.
• Less isolation: a person with a problem has someone to ask straight away, rather than struggling quietly.
• Better problem solving: more viewpoints mean faults are spotted earlier and solutions are more complete.

For example, a small music school planning a summer concert shares one plan: the tutor notices the hall is double-booked, the administrator swaps the rehearsal date, and the event runs on time because everyone saw the change.