Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration. If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. It’s an expression of hope, as well as a necessity.
So why is the industry struggling to get a grip on it?
The industry is incredibly adept at solving complex technical problems. We use our expertise and know-how within our organisations’ structures, procedures and ways of doing things. Result – solution achieved.
But solving problems that require us to cast aside our professional differences and organisational capabilities –then we’re stumped. I hate to break it to you, but making progress with challenges that can only be overcome through working together requires us to change our priorities, habits and, dare I say it, individualism.
Our worry is that our fear of doing this will hinder our desire and ability to collaborate. Can we not find a middle ground between individualism and collaboration? Well at the risk of sounding like Alan Titchmarsh (the sun is out after all), we most certainly can. Think of collaboration as three separate flowers.
The daisy, with its small central core and numerous, distinct petals, perhaps best represents the industry’s view of the supply chain: distinct groups working next to, but not necessarily with, each other for one relatively small common purpose. Compare this with the sunflower: the large, central core is what people notice most, and easily overshadows petals which appear connected and part of the overall picture. The sunflower best represents Step Change in Safety’s model: collaboration overtakes individualism.
Choosing collaboration over individualism works with an organisation like Step Change, but not necessarily for the whole industry. So where’s the middle ground? Well it’s with the marigolds!
With marigolds, there is equal distribution between petals and centres; equal distribution between individualism and collaboration. While maintaining the distinct nature and competencies of each organisation and sector, engagement is centred on a joint project. The participants in the centre share knowledge, foster new attitudes and represent the whole picture, not just their own views.
There is a fear that collaboration results in watered-down solutions, created without everyone else’s best interests at heart. Collaboration isn’t about teamwork or feeling good. Collaboration has to be about creating safer, more sustainable businesses, and a safer, more sustainable industry.
Successful collaboration requires leadership and the ability to distil the priorities of numerous stakeholders. If leaders can work together to create solutions that represent everyone, then they will be followed – by their business and the whole industry. Otherwise, we just get more daisies on the lawn!
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