Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

Tag: collaboration

  • Listen In -> Bridging the Work-Faith Divide #4: Collaboration, Empowerment and Accountability

    We don’t work alone.

    Some of may wish we worked alone, but reality returns each morning and we find ourselves face to face with another task on which to collaborate, another meeting to schedule, or another disagreement to work through.

    Bridging the Work-Faith DivideWe need ways to share information, combine efforts, enhance motivation, and be accountable to achieve results.

    In this week’s show, Claudia and I discuss how our faith informs how we work with other people.

    But, true to our the workplace perspective of this series, we are not going to ask how to be a good Christian at work. We are going to discuss the workplace realities of collaboration, empowerment and accountability.

    We have to share tasks and pool our skills; we have to tap into people’s core motivations and working styles; and we need to be able to confront problems and achieve results.

    You’ll be amazed at how relevant and helpful being a person of faith is to effectively navigating these common workplace issues.

    Listen in.

    Just now joining the conversation? Catch up on the entire series here.
    Interested in how we can resource your church or organization? Get more information here.

  • Listen In -> Technology… When Less is More #5: Collaborating Effectively

    Work, organization and communication all come together when we collaborate with others.

    Do our technology tools facilitate our efforts or complicate them? Propel us forward or hold us back? Enhance our effectiveness or stymie it?

    It’s easy to get the thinking process backwards when it comes to what technology will help us best collaborate with others.

    In this week’s discussion, Jorge and I turn the thinking around and and suggest that different expected outcomes require different methods of collaboration.

    It therefore becomes counter-productive to begin with choosing a technology solution.

    Confusing? Listen in.

    Joining this series mid-stream? Catch up on the entire series here.

  • Loving Monday: Checking In With Others

    loving_mondayIf you’ve got a big workload staring you in the face this week, it can be wise to hide somewhere that you can focus and push without the distraction of others.

    While an excellent strategy in principle, first thing Monday morning might not be the best time to implement it in practice.

    To hide away before checking in with the others on the team leaves an unnecessary communication gap. Someone might need a decision from you before they can take their work forward. Someone else may need some information out of your office. A third might want to coordinate an upcoming event or meeting with your calendar.

    Checking in with others before you lock yourself away is a practical vehicle for communicating that you are a part of the team even while you have something to do alone.

    Checking in with others doesn’t need to be time consuming. You will want to communicate three simple things:

    1. Greet with sincere words of interest in how they’re doing and what their week ahead looks like.
    2. Inform that you plan to work alone until 3:00 p.m. or so in order to “focus and push” on a project, and that their understanding and support would be appreciated.
    3. Ask if there’s anything they need from you before you “disappear” for a while.

    Loving Monday is easier for everyone when we make the effort to acknowledge that others’ work is as important as our own.

  • Listen In -> Making Peace with Work #3: Replacing Isolation with Collaboration

    It’s easier to do some things ourselves.

    The quality is better, we’re finished sooner, and the worry is eliminated.

    But it’s never easier to do everything ourselves.

    How did we end up all alone in the midst of a sea of people?

    This week Claudia and I discuss how we inadvertently isolate ourselves at work. We also suggest collaboration as a practical and achievable alternative.

    Don’t miss this episode! Listen in now.

  • Question of the Week

    How does your layout of offices and workspace contribute to or hinder collaboration in your department?