Why cooperation is essential and how to give and get cooperation?
By: Grow Remarkably With Ishwar Jha
Tags: Cooperation, Leadership, Collaboration, Startup, Team

“Even the blessed ones who receive various necessities of life from Gods enjoy these without sharing it with the other creatures are certainly a thief.” Bhagavad Gita verse 3.12

Movements fail if it does not get support from the community.

Businesses fail if it does not get cooperation from employees and stakeholders.

Governments fail if it does not get cooperation from citizens.

Sports teams fail to win the match if they do not get cooperation from every player.

You fail if you do not receive cooperation from your family, society, employers, colleagues, and friends.

You cannot achieve anything worthwhile without cooperation and help from others. It is the curbed and selfish passion that stops you from cooperating between people, organizations, and the nation. For the world to evolve, it’s time we pursue and push for cooperation in our endeavor.

How do you define cooperation?

The action or process of working together to the same end.

How do you see yourself, your family, society, or the organization become better if you achieve cooperation from everyone involved?

I can instantly remember the story of a householder whose three sons were fighting all the time. Frustrated with their fighting, the farmer thought of an idea that will help him stop it. One day, he called his sons and presented a thick wood stick to them and tasked them to break it individually.

They all tried it one by one and failed to break it. The sons felt sad and disappointed as they were unable to break the wood stick. The householder asked all of them to put their efforts together. Together, they broke the wood stick instantly. Sons learned that to win, they need to cooperate instead of fighting.

What types of cooperation do you need?

It would be best if you had social cooperation to support your initiatives from your social group. You would have observed how an artist or sports team performs better when their fans and communities support them. Religious cooperation is needed to get out of the daily routines of life and unite to pray, celebrate, and enjoy the festivity. Different individuals with similar motives and interests come together to financially support the business or cause. Financial cooperation helps for starting a business, setting up establishments, and running businesses. It would help if you had community cooperation to get your voice heard. If the government fails to deliver it’s promises or indulges in malpractices, you need the community support to fight against it. People around you have a better understanding of your assets, aspirations, and market realities. You need cooperation from people to improve your chances of success if you are part of a circle of influence.

How will you measure whether you are cooperating well with others who matter for your plan ahead?

It would be best if you worked together with people as their ally. Always be helping. Efforts together to improve collaboration among the members. Teamwork and collaboration must be a central theme of your behavior to foster cooperation. Use modern tools such as WhatsApp Groups, Community management tools, and other relevant mediums to connect, collaborate, and share resources to benefit the community. Participate in social events such as weddings, celebrations, events, etc., to expand your connection, communicate your ideas, and build trust to make people feel comfortable cooperating with you. Resolve conflicts and confusion by providing accurate information, clear goals, and roles of the team members. Review and reward the unique talents, capabilities, and efforts of members. It helps people stay motivated to achieve common goods while keeping their eyes on the prize.

How will you know when you’re not cooperating?

People avoid meetings, people are not responding to requests, people are not engaging, and people are not attentive to achieving the set goals. Members of the team do not respond on a timely basis or fulfill their assigned role commitments. Your team members start competing with each other instead of cooperating. When people start playing games instead of getting things done.

And while conducting yourself in daily life, remember, you are here for a short visit, not knowing how you will sail through the uncertain yet challenging terrain of life. Whatever happiness, success, or peace you have today there because of other people’s labor, how earnestly you must exert yourself to give in return as much as you receive so that living becomes happier, fearless, and free of sufferings.

If you wish to win, you must prime your values, behaviors, and actions focused on mutual respect.