Research Insights:

Collaboration failures stem from various factors:
- Silos (67%)
- Lack of collaborative vision from leaders (32%)
- Senior managers unwilling to relinquish control (32%)
Despite workplaces becoming more collaborative, 39% of global employees report inadequate collaboration within their organizations.
Competitive value within enterprises is predominantly created and delivered at organizational "seams," where functions merge to form capabilities.

Challenges for Leaders in Collaboration:
- Competitive nature and fear of being overshadowed.
- Heavy reliance on hierarchy for achieving results.
- Prioritization of results over relationships.
- Difficulty in trusting others' abilities.
- Lack of skill or orientation towards collaboration.
Strategies for Improvement:
- Self-reflection to understand personal barriers to collaboration.
- Adoption of a collaborative mindset:
  - Openness to change and new ideas.
  - Valuing others equally.
  - Establishing reliability and trustworthiness.
- Genuine actions to reinforce collaborative behavior:
  - Engaging in acts of generosity without expecting reciprocation.
  - Sharing the spotlight and giving credit to others.
  - Seeking advice and demonstrating vulnerability.
Encouragement and Outlook:
- Reassurance that collaboration can be learned and improved.
- Recognition of evolving leadership traits favoring inclusivity, humility, and other-oriented approaches.
- Emphasis on collaboration as indispensable for sustained leadership impact in today's interconnected professional landscape.

Challenges for Leaders in Collaboration:

Competitive Nature: Sometimes, leaders find it hard to work together because they're used to being the star player. They worry that sharing the spotlight might make them seem less important.
Reliance on Hierarchy: In some workplaces, leaders are used to being in charge and telling people what to do. This can make it tough for them to work as equals with their peers.
Prioritization of Results over Relationships: Some leaders are so focused on getting things done that they forget about building good relationships with others. This can get in the way of teamwork.
Difficulty in Trusting: Trust can be a big issue for leaders, especially if they've had bad experiences in the past. They might find it hard to rely on others because they're worried things might go wrong.
Lack of Skills or Orientation: For some leaders, collaboration just isn't something they're used to. They might not have the right skills or mindset for working well with others.

Strategies for Improvement:

Self-Reflection: Leaders can start by thinking about why collaboration is hard for them. Understanding their own feelings and behaviors is the first step toward getting better at working with others.
Adopting a Collaborative Mindset: It's important for leaders to be open to new ideas and to treat everyone as equals. Changing the way they think about collaboration can help them overcome obstacles.
Building Reliability and Trustworthiness: Being someone others can rely on is key to collaboration. Leaders can build trust by being generous, sharing credit, and showing that they're dependable.
Seeking Advice and Demonstrating Vulnerability: Asking for help and showing vulnerability might feel uncomfortable, but it can actually strengthen relationships. It shows that leaders trust their peers and value their input.
Committing to Genuine Efforts: Finally, leaders need to put in real effort to improve their collaboration skills. It's not enough to just say they want to work better with others—they need to show it through their actions.