EP383: Deb Mashek - The Power Of Collaboration

“By having the opportunity to work with, and work beside,
and learn next to, and learn with people who have a different
vantage point on whatever the problem is… when we get to be with
that other person, our ability to understand the complexity
actually increases, and that’s where we are able to innovate more
impressive solutions.”
-Deb Mashek


The better we are at collaborating, the more likely it is that
people will want to work with us. Yet so many of us struggle to
work effectively with others. What happens when we sit and ask
ourselves what collaboration really means? Are we only happy when
we are getting our own way? What does it really feel like and
mean to co-create something with other people?


These are big questions, but they matter if we are to get to the
heart of why it is we need to work with other people. Balance is
critical, as is a mutual respect for our skills and the skills of
others. If we are able to set effective expectations through a
lens of respect, we are far more likely to find success in our
collaborations.


Deb Mashek, founder of Myco Consulting and author of the new book
Collabor(h)ate, is this episode’s featured guest. She has spent
her career helping people recognize different viewpoints and
creating the space for understanding to flourish between
seemingly disagreeable people.


If you struggle to vocalize your opinion, aren’t sure how to
speak with someone about viewpoints you disagree with or are
finding it difficult to communicate your worth and effort, then
this is the episode to take you from CollaborHate to
CollaborGreat. :)


During this interview, you'll learn...



The value of setting healthy expectations


How viewpoint diversity can shape your business for the
better


The importance of building a communal
mindset 



To find out more about Deb, click here.


Connect with Deb on LinkedIn.


Buy her new book, Collabor(h)ate
at this link.


For the 10 kickoff questions mentioned in this episode, visit
here.


Time Stamps


01:50 - Deb discusses her career journey  
04:45 - Understanding viewpoint diversity  
  
06:38 - Getting to the heart of collaboration
09:35 - Collaboration through the lens of small
business 
16:40 - Keeping ourselves community-minded
22:29 - Communicating more effectively 
27:04 - Deb talks about her new book