Secrets of Collaboration

It's increasingly important for Architect's to exhibit effective collaboration skills. For example, innovative ideas, trust, and teamwork thrive in a collaborative environment (and we know that trust and communication are precursors to results). Also, many of us find ourselves working with teams that are geographically and culturally disparate, a situation that demands even greater collaboration - more creatively.

In this light, Alistair Cockburn recently gave a sneak preview of an article he's working on about improved collaboration. He highlights the following practical techniques:

• Lift others
• Be courteous
• Add energy to the room
• Listen intently
• Inquire (don't argue)
• Recognize others
• Challenge but adopt other suggestions
• Increase safety
• Be yourself
• Say something honest and true, but on the edge
• Support someone else who is at the edge of their comfort level
• Challenge but adopt other suggestions
• Get results
• Make sure there is a known goal
• Get one result (then get more)
• Focus, get back from diversions

These suggestions are provided in the context of a specific engagement or meeting, but many can be applied in general. Reading through the list, I'm reminded of principles such as "Seek first to Understand" from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and "Vigourous Debate" from Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't. These are not only essential characteristics of a healthy and productive culture, they're essential skills of the Software Architect.