Communicate and Collaborate Better with Collaboration Guides

Updated by Amy Thomas

Problem

Do you find it challenging to have challenging conversations, give direct feedback, or generally work with peers, manage up, or navigate relationships within your teams or department? Misaligned personalities, unclear communication, or unresolved conflicts can lead to frustration, inefficiency, and poor results. Without understanding how others think and work, it’s hard to connect effectively.

Solution

The Collaboration Guide helps you understand and navigate different personalities within your team or department. By identifying strengths, differences, and communication styles, you can:

  • Communicate clearly
  • Collaborate and coordinate tasks effectively
  • Resolve conflicts constructively
  • Build better role clarity in relationships, even when managing up
  • In short, you can master the 4 C’s of working together (communicate, collaborate, conflict-resolution, and role-clarity)

Steps to Action

  1. Complete the Employee Personality Profile (EPP)

Both you and the other person should complete the EPP to unlock actionable insights.

If the other person hasn’t completed theirs, encourage them to take it so you can use the guide fully.
  1. Access the Collaboration Guide

Navigate to the person’s profile in the Develop platform and open the Collaboration Guide.

Explore key insights on how your personality traits compare
Communication Style: Do they prefer concise, direct updates, or collaborative discussions?
Work Approach: Are they big-picture thinkers, or do they thrive in details?
Conflict Style: Do they address issues head-on or avoid confrontation?
Motivation Drivers: What energizes them most—recognition, results, or something else?
  1. Reflect with Coach Bo

Launch Coach Bo to help interpret the results and get tailored advice.

Example Questions for Bo
“How can I adapt my communication style to better align with [Name]?”
“What’s the best way to give constructive feedback to [Name]?”
“How can I manage up effectively with my boss, given our different work styles?”
  1. Have a Conversation to Build Alignment

Use the Collaboration Guide as a conversation starter to strengthen your working relationship.

Key Topics to Discuss
Shared Strengths: “I noticed we both excel at [shared strength]. How can we lean on this to collaborate better?”
Differences: “It seems like I prefer a structured approach, while you’re more flexible. How can we balance these styles?”
Communication Preferences: “I see you prefer direct updates. How can I ensure I’m communicating in a way that works best for you?”
  1. Apply the 4 C’s Framework

Use your insights from the Collaboration Guide to improve these key areas:

Communication
Adapt your tone, timing, and delivery based on their preferences.
Example: If they prefer direct updates, send concise summaries instead of long explanations.
Coordination
Use their work style to assign or divide tasks effectively.
Example: Pair a detail-oriented peer with a big-picture thinker for a well-rounded approach.
Conflict Resolution
Address disagreements based on their conflict style.
Example: If they avoid confrontation, approach them in a calm, private setting to share feedback.
Role Clarity
Clarify expectations for how you’ll work together.
Example: With your manager, ask questions to confirm priorities and deadlines to avoid misalignment.
  1. Check-In Regularly

Schedule regular touchpoints to discuss how your collaboration is going.

Revisit the Collaboration Guide and ask Coach Bo for advice if issues arise or your dynamic changes.

Pro Tips

  • Use the Collaboration Guide when working with peers or managing up to ensure alignment on goals and communication.
  • For challenging conversations or more impactful feedback, prepare by asking Coach Bo for tailored advice.
  • Celebrate small wins when collaboration improves, like smoother feedback exchanges or resolving conflicts faster.

Troubleshooting

Struggling to connect with someone?

  • Focus on their strengths and ask questions like, “What’s one thing I can do to make working with me easier?”
  • Use the guide to adapt your approach rather than expecting them to change.

Having recurring conflicts?

  • Ask Coach Bo for conflict resolution strategies specific to their personality style.
  • Seek a manager’s help to mediate, if needed, and revisit the guide to adjust your approach.

What to Expect

By using the Collaboration Guide and reflecting with Coach Bo, you’ll:

  • Build trust and improve communication with peers, teammates, and managers.
  • Navigate conflicts constructively with greater understanding of personality differences.
  • Align better on roles, responsibilities, and priorities– whether working alongside peers or managing up.

Over time, these practices will make you a more effective collaborator, improve your team’s cohesion, and create a more productive and harmonious workplace.

How did we do?