Collaboration is the ability to create an environment of inclusion through sharing information and working together to achieve a goal with a mutual sense of duty.When we collaborate with each other, we share a responsibility to watch out for each other.When I talk about collaboration, I use a much broader definition than just getting work done, though that is an important component. Collaboration includes the ability to make joint decisions, effective two-way communication, listening, and helping each other get their needs met. It also means helping each other achieve relationship goals such as working on building trust or reaching a win-win outcome.When one party tries to collaborate and another party does not, frustration and mistrust often occur.
Being committed to the partnership is an important relationship element of trust. If I feel committed to helping us achieve our goals and objectives and feel that you are not, then I will not trust your motives or objectives. If I see that you have a high commitment to the partnership, I will have a sense that you are working to achieve our mutual objectives and a high sense of trust in you. When I feel you are committed to the partnership, I trust that you are going to work as hard as I am to ensure that the alliance will succeed. This builds trust in our commitment to the partnership.