Collaborations that work bring together those who share the same goals, although they may be coming from different segments of the community. Collaboration doesn't come naturally. Our administrative organizations, reward structures, and budget processes usually do not facilitate collaboration on our campuses. Collaborators learn how to cross boundaries. Collaborators have a high tolerance for ambiguity.
Successful collaborators get beyond the subtle barriers created by their professional roles.
The persona we present to the world can get in the way. Who we are can create a barrier to what we need to know or do. Many leaders give lip service to collaboration. Few actually understand what collaboration takes, what it means, and how it fundamentally changes organizations. Collaboration is substantively different than cooperation or coordination.