We’ve all had those meetings … the ones where we find ourselves asking “what is wrong with them?” But what if they are not the problem? What if we just haven’t found the best path to communicate and collaborate with someone whose intellectual processes differ from ours?
In our modern workforce, we place primary emphasis on focused attention, so when we see someone gazing off into nothing, or doodling on their notepad during a meeting, we assume they aren’t paying attention or are bored (a.k.a not a “team player”), but it might just mean their attention is in a different quadrant (“sorting” or “open” attention where we problem solve or create innovative ideas). How can you learn how to make the best use out of everyone’s thinking talents? We learn how to best collaborate.
In a study done at FedEx several years ago the company found that when they put resources into active collaboration training, and provided incentives for people to collaborate, their teams that were trained in collaboration techniques vastly outperformed the other teams that didn’t receive the training.
How can you train to collaborate? Come join the Collaborative Intelligence course at Rady’s Center for Executive Development on March 16 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Based on the critically acclaimed book Collaborative Intelligence by psychologist Dawna Markova and Angie McArthur, this course will guide you through four key strategies for improving your Collaborative Intelligence (CQ).
To join the CQ course at Rady, sign up here.
About Rebecca Johannsen
Rebecca Johannsen has taught courses with Rady in Public Speaking and Emotional Intelligence for several years, pairing exercises used by actors with the latest in organizational training and development. Dr. Johannsen holds a Ph.D. in Theatre from the joint doctoral program at UC Irvine and UC San Diego and a Master’s degree in Theatre from San Diego State. She has taught theatre at New York University, Fordham University, CSU Northridge, and Speech and Communication at Mercy College in New York. She currently resides in London  where she is developing courses in Emotional Intelligence, Public Speaking, and Creativity with organizations across the UK. She is also an accomplished actor, director, dramaturg and producer of theatre in San Diego, New York City, and London.