Collaboration - Balancing Teamwork and Independence
Having a preference to work independently isn’t a barrier to collaboration. Here’s why…
We have all had colleagues who welcome any opportunity to work on projects in a group setting. They enjoy the camaraderie and social engagement. But when you look back to those situations, you also know it wasn’t always a recipe for successful collaboration.
Although collaboration is essential, the way individuals engage in collaborative efforts can vary greatly. The "Individual – Group" collaboration dimension highlights how people prioritize working independently versus within a team. Understanding this dimension can be a powerful catalyst for fostering effective collaboration.
The psychology behind the preference to work independently or in a group
Research has shown that individualism plays a key role in whether a person opts into or out of group work (Kiffin-Petersen & Cordery, 2003). Additionally, a person’s communication style and social tendencies further influence their preference for working alone or within a team.
Smart Collaboration and the Individual - Group dimension
Smart Collaboration is the term associated with Dr. Heidi K. Gardner’s research at Harvard Law School that showed firms embracing collaboration on complex challenges that require a range of expertise, achieve higher revenues. Effective collaboration relies on integrating diverse expertise and perspectives, making the balance between individual and group-oriented work styles a critical factor in achieving success.
Understanding the Individual – Group collaboration dimension
The Smart Collaboration Accelerator measures this behavioral dimension of collaboration through two key constructs:
Working with Others: This measures a person’s preference for working in teams versus working independently. High Individual people prefer autonomy, valuing independence and self-reliance. High Group people, on the other hand, thrive in team settings and enjoy the emotional connection and shared purpose that comes with group work.
Perception of Group Work: This evaluates an individual’s focus on efficiency versus collaboration. High Individual people prioritize productivity and speed, often viewing collaboration as inefficient. High Group people, however, focus on the relational and communal aspects of teamwork, sometimes at the expense of efficiency.
Balancing individual and group work for effective collaboration
Collaboration does not always mean working as a group. The key to effective teamwork is knowing when collaboration adds value and when independent work is more efficient. High Individual individuals bring focus, self-sufficiency, and personal accountability to their work. They may see collaboration as a potential inefficiency but excel in executing tasks that require deep concentration and independent thought.
High Group individuals drive the collective intelligence of a team, ensuring that multiple perspectives contribute to the work. They thrive in group interactions and actively engage others in the process.
Know your team’s collaboration preference for independent or group work
Understanding whether you are more Individual or Group in your collaboration style can help you optimize your work approach. Similarly, if you are a leader, you can leverage this knowledge to build balanced teams that combine preferences for independent work required as part of a collective effort with the power of collective problem-solving and idea generation. The Smart Collaboration Accelerator measures preferences for independent or group work that can impact team collaboration.
Reference:
Kiffin-Petersen, S.A., and Cordery, J.L. (2003). Trust, individualism and job characteristics as predictors of employee preference for teamwork. Int. J. of Human Resource Management, 14(1), 93-116.
