Definition
When my children first started playing football as 4 and 5 year old's, their team-play was pretty chaotic. They'd all bunch together running after the ball kicking it as best they could, wanting to shine and score goals. Growing older they understand the game better, they are able to play to their positions, pass the ball between team mates, be creative, and ultimately score amazing goals. The key aspect of their growing maturity is the ability to collaborate, this means understanding their role and working together as a team for a common purpose.
Why is Collaboration Important in UX Design?
It was said of the philosopher Leibniz (1646 - 1761) that he was the last person who knew everything. My philosophy professor explained that by about 1700 (C.E.) people started to accept that the combined body of knowledge (held by universities) was too great for any one person to know it all.
Similarly, in the work environment one person cannot know or do everything, certainly designing user experiences does not fall to one person. A team of people come together bringing a host of abilities, skills, experiences, passions, propensities, likes and dislikes. When a team works well together the outcomes of their collaboration are beneficial for all.
Collaborative Skills
In a nutshell, people love working with good collaborators. The ability to collaborate well requires certain personal skills, for some this will come naturally and for others it is something that through knowledge and practice can be improved.
Ego Reflections
The ego (that little voice and feeling inside) plays a very important function in our lives. It allows us to distinguish, to relate to others, to reason, to categorise, basically it allows us to function in the world. The ego also contains many negative qualities, for example, criticising and judging others (and oneself), acting manipulative, being inflexible, rigid, moody, constantly needing praise and approval, fearful, uncooperative, quick to offence, the list goes on!
The negative qualities of the ego makes for difficult collaboration, after all nobody really likes a Leibniz. It is therefore very important when working within a team to keep a check on one's ego. This is of course easy to say! How can we help ourselves to keep the ego in check? One useful method is to observe one's thoughts in a detached way. Just because a thought appears does not mean it needs to be acted on, or even taken seriously. They are just thoughts. Another method is conscious breathing, watch the inhale and exhale, have a big sigh and carry on. Remember, the ego is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.
When ego's are kept in check it makes for easier communication, team members feel more confident to share their ideas and knowledge, trust increases, as does a feeling of togetherness, mutual respect, etc, etc.
Empathy
One of the cornerstones of UX design or person centred design is the ability to empathise, to be able to take the position of the user. Empathy is also a very important attribute in team collaboration. It means to be sensitive to the views, thoughts, and feelings of other people within your team. A team environment where there is empathy enhances the feelings of trust between members, mutual respect, feelings of being seen and valued, and helps create an environment for honest communication.
An article from Forbes sites research which shows that empathy is the most important leadership skill. It drives significant business results through innovation, staff retention, engagement, happiness, inclusivity and performance. Wow!
Good Communication
Being a "good communicator" both orally and written is used so often in job specifications that it has almost become a cliché. However it is required by so many businesses for good reason. Let's unpick some of the aspects of being a good communicator:
Good communication is timely. Say what you are going to do and then stick to that. If you are not able to complete a task or are delayed in a response, for example, then communicate this to your colleagues. Being timely and communicative enhances trust and a sense of collegiality within a team. Colleagues know where you are at and may be able to offer assistance if required.
Good communication is listening. Communication is not one-directional. Listening is also a function of being a good communicator. A friend said to me that "everyone has the right to be heard." This statement has stuck with me for over 30 years. I feel that it is really a truth, a human right in fact. Being able to listen allows someone to feel heard, that they matter, they are valued. Encouraging listening increases a sense of trust between team members, a sense of working together towards a common goal. (Further reading: Active listening.)
Good communication is being able to speak well. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A LITTLE SHOUTING, SO THAT YOU CAN HEAR LOUD AND CLEAR IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING, LET ME ADD A LITTLE BOLD JUST FOR ACCENT!!!!! It really is interesting how caps lock can be perceived as shouting. How did it make you feel? Maybe that I wanted to drive the point home, that I was unprepared to listen to other voices, that I did not care how it was received, that I was angry? Being able to speak well to others gives them the freedom to respond, to engage in conversation, it is informative, inclusive, clear, and polite.
Good communication is allowing your voice be heard. In an environment where voices can be heard, that they are valued and respected, it is very important for your ideas, thoughts, and inspirations be shared with others. Over-shyness can be an obstacle to effective collaboration.
(For further reading see the 7 c's of communication.)
Conclusion
Other collaborative skills include kindness, generosity, appreciation, flexibility and adaptability. We could also speak about self-motivation, taking responsibility, critical thinking and debate, and being able to manage conflict. The subject is pervasive because collaboration is a core feature of living in the world as social beings. It is central to the practice of UX design!
