Workplace values, like collaboration, are an essential aspect of any work environment. Whether you work from home or need to be in an office, employees need to adhere to certain unspoken standards of work ethics.
In other words, workplace values can be considered as a set of guiding principles that will help to shape the way you and your colleagues work together. When specific values are shared to be expected in order to work together in a professional setting, fewer misunderstandings will occur.
A happier, more cohesive and understanding environment will grow out of such a nurturing environment. And that’s got to be a win-win situation for everyone.
With all that being said, what are some of these workplace values that can help to improve the overall quality of your work environment?
In this article, you will be able to find out more about the workplace value of collaboration and 3 ways you can practice collaboration at your office.
What is collaboration?
Sure, you and I know what the term generally asks of anyone in a social setting. However, what exactly does it mean?
According to Lexico.com, collaboration refers to “the action of working with someone to produce something”.
When placed into the context of a working environment, collaboration can take on many forms at the workplace. As with any workplace value, we use collaboration as a guiding principle to help us make better decisions as a colleague, and more importantly, as an individual.
How then we can apply it at the workplace? Read on to find out 🙂
How to practice collaboration at the office?
Practicing the workplace value of collaboration at the office doesn’t actually call for much effort! Meaning to say, that it does not need to be big or outlandish gestures.
We practice collaboration through the simple, and daily acts of our everyday lifestyle. As such, here are 3 steps you can take to start practicing collaboration within your own office space.
Foster a flexible work environment
Fostering a flexible work environment is one of the first steps you can take to practice collaboration at the workplace.
When working on a project at the same spot for hours on end, most teams tend to hit a road bump. After all, we’ve all experienced one form of creativity block or another. As such, it’s important for teams at work to switch things up a little bit every now and then.
One way to get started with that is by fostering a flexible work environment. And we mean that quite literally too! Introduce an open-concept office is possible. In fact, don’t make it feel like an office at all! Dedicate some space to art, chill and jam corners.
This can help employees take a little break away from the task they’ve been working on for so long. Alternatively, allow employees the freedom to work from elsewhere – anywhere they find comfortable!
This will allow them the room to think out of the box. Inspiration can strike at any time – especially when at a different or new venue. Perhaps, they’ll get a new idea when they see a random object or person on the streets.
When external factors are set to adjustable mode, teammates often depend on each other to work through situations. As such, give them the space to work things out on their own! And so, fostering a flexible work environment is one way to practice the workplace value of collaboration!
Infuse creativity at work
One can also foster collaboration at the workplace simply by infusing creativity at work. When at the office, it’s not just tasks and projects that need a dose of creativity added to them. It’s also the way work is conducted in practice!
Infusing creativity as part of a daily, weekly or monthly routine can be done through the little things when at the office. Switch up the ways things get done at work. Reorganise teams every now and then to diversify staff interactions, for instance. Alternatively, organise a potluck lunch by drawing lots to pick a cuisine of the week.
These strategies can help to keep things new and exciting at work while also contributing to team-building efforts. Thus, infusing creativity at the office is one way to further foster the workplace value of collaboration!
Welcome suggestions, feedback and criticism
The third, but perhaps, the most effective way you can practise the workplace value of collaboration is by welcoming suggestions, feedback and criticisms. Create some room for your colleagues to approach you with feedback about the way things are being done at work.
Take the initiative to make others feel like you are approachable and easy to talk to. Ensure that you listen actively when they come to speak with you. Encourage one another to share feedback. It is the road to improvement, after all.
On top of listening actively, paying attention to your colleagues and asking the right questions can help you get a better sense of their ideas too. Ask questions in return to ensure that you have indeed understood what their suggestions are all about. Brainstorm together to improve on these ideas too.
Take criticisms in the right spirit. Seek advice and clarifications. Remember the big picture and work hand-in-hand with your colleagues to improve current situations. Offer your thoughts and get more heads thinking on the matter too. You’d be practicing the workplace value of collaboration in no time!
What's next?
And there you have it – a piece on an absolutely critical workplace value of collaboration. We hope the information in this article has helped you get a clearer idea of how you can better practice collaboration at the workplace.
Instilling workplace values, like the above, at your office can rake in numerous benefits for every employee. Remember, a little effort can go a long way to ensure a happy and successful workplace for everyone!
Keep a lookout for other workplace values we will be discussing as part of this series soon! Searching for a new workplace that practices these workplace values? On the hunt for a new job?
If you’re on the lookout for jobs within other industries that are nonetheless located in Singapore, here’s an article that shares with you the top 19 job portals in Singapore.
No matter the industry or the position, remember to visit GrabJobs to find a job opportunity in Singapore easily!
