If collaboration is so great, why is it so difficult?

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If collaboration is so great, why is it so difficult?

Opensource.com

Collaboration is effective. Human survival depends on it, and great human achievements stand in testament. But anyone who has sat on a committee, organized a community, or led an open source software community knows it can be very difficult.

Collaboration is fraught with friction, perhaps because it is such a human activity. As the saying goes, "I love humanity, it's other people I can't stand."

What are your pain points when it comes to collaboration?

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Colin Dodd is a writer at Red Hat.

3 Comments

Once people realize the benefit of sharing and keeping things open it becomes almost second nature. However people respond and react to leadership styles and culture, and if those entrusted with leadership don't participate and encourage sharing the old habits of keeping things to oneself tend to be re-established.

It's true, each of these are obstacles to overcome. You have to work hard at it, but ultimately the benefits are there. Many individuals and companies go into not really wanting to work at it or give back, share, etc. Learn more about collaboration, open solutions, and innovation in health care, education, etc. at www.cositech.net

Many of the stated obstacles can be overcome more easily if one can articulate the purpose of collaboration. Like any opportunity there are risks to be evaluated and resources and timelines to be calculated. With strong leadership propelling the purpose, goals and objectives and a well constructed plan to achieve and measure them then there is no reason for collaboration projects to fail.

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