To collaborate effectively, we must fight the gravity of our own world.
At the recent World Commerce & Contracting Summit in Sydney, we explored this very challenge.
Just like a spacecraft needs to achieve 40,000 km/h to escape Earth’s gravitational pull, we have to work hard to escape the gravity of our own concerns if we want to partner well.
When we fail to break free from this pull, our ability to collaborate is compromised. Consider the following:
❶ Blinded by Our Own World: When our focus is fixed inward, we fail to see the other’s world. Was that a big commercial opportunity that walked through the middle of our meeting? We might never know as we were too focused on our own world.
❷ Exacerbated Emotions: When we are preoccupied with our own needs, it heightens our emotions. We become more anxious or aggressive, making it easier for others to “push our buttons”, even unintentionally.
❸ Compromised Presence. A self-focused intent is eventually seen, leaking out of us in ways we can’t conceal. People naturally recoil from someone who constantly broadcasts on Wii FM (What’s in it for me?).
This doesn’t mean that we ignore our own world. After all, many of the things that occupy us are indeed important. We just need to be careful that they don’t overshadow our ability to genuinely focus on the other’s world.
This requires focus.
This requires energy.
This requires commitment.
But it’s worth it. The most effective collaboration happens when we escape the gravity of our own world. This shift in perspective is where real partnership takes flight. Like achieving escape velocity, it’s not easy, but the rewards are out of this world (sorry, couldn’t resist!).
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