While dysfunctional behaviour is often chalked up to human nature, particularly if it occurs only occasionally, it is nonetheless a signal that a larger problem likely exists. In other words, when blood results get mixed up in the lab or are lost in transit, the reasons likely have less to do with the technical aspects of the job and more to do with behavioural lapses and inadequacies among the staff. The challenge for leaders and managers is to observe, identify, and amend ineffective and dysfunctional behaviours so that they do not impede true collaboration and high performance outcomes.
Organizations still entrenched in the dated command and control leadership paradigm and “we work alone – rock star” mentality struggle to compete against organizations that embrace a culture of collaboration. Peak performing organizations embrace collaboration creating engaged employees in a culture where the work and goals are interdependent, and the leaders are self-aware, other-centered, and connected in highly effective relationships.
In today’s economy it is imperative, particularly in public service industries, that we adopt collaboration as a key performance strategy. An initiative for collaboration enriches work lives at all organizational levels. Collaboration emphasizes that everyone, no matter your position on the organizational chart, contributes to the goals of the enterprise. When someone asks you to get involved or to help, you feel needed, valued, and an integral part of a larger system. People who feel this way find their work meaningful, and as a result, they willingly contribute their time, talent and energy and are motivated to perform at high levels.
At the heart of a person’s collaborative behaviour is the skill of Positive Presence. The skill of Positive Presence is innate in every human being, and with an awareness of this skill comes the mindset, the vocabulary and the skills needed to ensure a collaborative culture.
The good news is that we are already seeing a generational shift toward integrated thinking, system oriented problem solving, and objective standards of measurement for performance in our public service organizations. As leaders, using collaboration as the means to build teams, drive performance, share governance and responsibility, and establish accountability for performance, will provide the greatest opportunity for achieving a culture of performance excellence.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.