„Collaboration“ is one of our six modules that we offer in the SOCIUS change essentials online course and takes a look at collaboration in a creative context. Forms of collaboration can take place between organisations, but also between teams or individuals within an organisation. We have broken down different degrees of collaboration and also recorded risks in which collaboration may not be appropriate because the associated communication channels are overloaded or the framework is so detailed that the creative potential of collaborative processes misses the mark.

There were four of us at the SOCIUS lab in October – plenty of space and time for depth and the opportunity to take greater account of individual interests. In addition to an introduction to the „collaboration continuum“, which is explained in detail in the module, we addressed the questions and experiences that arose in the virtual space. Here is a selection:

• How can we manage and moderate the wide range of expectations regarding process design and content, while at the same time framing them in such a way that they can actually be implemented?
• From a facilitation perspective, what can we do to maintain the phase(s) of emergence and extensive openness („groan zone“); not to conclude too early and to offer containers and ways of dealing with the often growing uncertainty?
• How can we effectively address differences (i.e. differing interests and ideas) and coherence (shared perspectives and questions or objectives) and maintain them side by side in an appreciative manner, or even bring them into relation with one another?
• How can we structure the end of collaborations in such a way that the interests of those involved and potential creative contact are maintained beyond the period of specific cooperation?

My learning

• Laboratory work is always exciting and great – even in smaller groups!
• As is so often the case, there are no „right“ answers; rather, the choice of means is a matter of sharpening one's intuition through experience and reflection.
• The „collaboration continuum“ model has been well received – with some feedback suggesting that it should be developed further, it provides a basis for entering into discussions at an early stage about how collaboration can be structured. We are naturally very pleased about this!