In a meeting do you seek to Collaborate or to Cooperate with the others gathered there?
Collaboration is tactic. It is usually focused on the means not the end. It is a group activity. It is a way of being, working, and thinking that focuses on content not context. It is way of approaching problems relies upon language more than images, on coordination more than flexibility, on clarity more than imagination. It is a mindset that is sweeping the world at a time when the collective [effort, contribution, continuity] is place above the individual [idea, breakthrough, discontinuity].
The vision that Steve Jobs had for Apple Park and specifically for the SpaceShip was that 12,000 workers would live 24/7 in a cooperative workspace. People would rotate around the building during the day to join and leave semi-autonomous work groups. Great ideal Steve. The reality is that the internal space is set-up for Collaboration not Cooperation.
Study this photo. Is this young couple best set-up for collaboration or cooperation?
Cooperation is strategic. It is usually focused on the outcome not the means. It is a participatory activity. It is depends on high-levels of trust. It is a way of being, working, and thinking that is focusses on context not content. It is way of approaching problems relies upon images more than language, on flexibility more than coordination, on imagination more than clarity. It is a mindset that is rapidly being swept from our lives, workplaces, communities, and families.
Apollo 13 was a mission to the Moon that went horribly wrong. Three Astronauts were floating in Space without the oxygen they expected they needed to survive. "Houston we have had a problem" crackled over the airwaves inside Mission Control. In an instant the switch was flicked from Collaboration to Cooperation. The globe was linked into Houston in unprecedented ways because the new mission was to save lives.
Richard.
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