In the world of business, the goal today is increased collaboration. This concept has gained traction and evolved significantly over the last couple of decades. But what is it, and how do we achieve effective collaboration in today's shifting leadership environment?

Collaboration is when leaders pause to have conversations with the people that they're leading from the standpoint of testing ideas and looking at potential decisions from several different angles. Collaborating in a business context also involves gathering input and simply being sociable, in some cases. It is generally the back and forth conversation that naturally occur during the work day.

The leader needs to go to the people, sit down, talk over the situation, and get their input into what direction the leader thinks is the best for the organization when it comes to making a decision or setting up a policy. Research has found these different levels of collaboration in the decision making process leads to more productive outcomes and as well as building strong motivation within teams.

In order for teams to be truly collaborative, leaders need to address four key areas. Leadership expert Gene Morton, specializing in M&A and business reorganizations, developed the Leaders First Process. This process takes a fresh approach and unique outlook on these four keys that lead to increased collaboration. In today's interview, Gene Morton and Susan Hasty discuss these building blocks to collaboration.  

• How the proper leadership structure affects the entire company (14:50)
• Critical outcomes vs. Big hairy audacious goals (18:15)
• Personal responsibility vs. Team accountability (28:45)
• Addressing conflict and improving leadership conversations (45:30)

Collaboration may be the Holy Grail of business today, but many leaders have no idea how to implement it correctly or effectively. Do you want to be more collaborative in your organization, but don't know where to begin? Have you tried and failed?

You start by having the conversation up front and figuring out who's going to be accountable. Leaders face the challenge of an exponentially changing future. Becoming more collaborative by focusing on defining critical outcomes and determining accountability within the company will allow organizations to become more profitable and, in return, more sustainable.

We want to have a "Lucrative Leadership Conversation" with you. Our mission is to help leaders and companies become more collaborative, profitable, and sustainable. Learn more at 360profitmasters.com or email [email protected]