Why Is Collaboration Important in Leadership?

Why Is Collaboration Important in Leadership?

In many organizations, the CEO or president leads with a top-down approach that involves issuing directives and making decisions that employees carry out. If you’ve experienced this type of leadership, you might be wondering why collaboration is important in leadership? 

Collaboration in leadership has multiple beneficial effects on the rest of the team or organization. When leaders are seen to value collaboration, the following impacts can be expected: 

• Increased productivity: Employees who view their managers or executives as willing to participate and contribute to the general workload are often more productive in their own tasks and responsibilities. 
• Increased engagement: Increased productivity often leads to higher levels of employee engagement. Employees who believe they are part of a collaborative workplace, rather than simply taking orders from those at the top, will be more satisfied and engaged with their roles. 
• Decreased turnover: Engaged employees are less likely to leave their positions in search of more fulfilling opportunities, so collaboration in leadership usually leads to decreased rates of employee turnover. 
• Increased innovation: When leadership values and demonstrates collaboration, the rest of the organization follows suit, resulting in increased creativity and innovation. Increases in innovation and creativity will, in turn, help to boost employee engagement. 
• Increased transparency: Finally, collaboration in leadership leads to increased transparency among employees who view their managers and executives as a greater part of their roles. Accountability should also be improved as employees understand that their superiors have an interest in their work. 

Collaboration is important for driving up employee engagement and productivity within and across teams. Additionally, collaboration in leadership has a powerful trickle-down effect throughout organizations, positively impacting employees’ well-being and the company’s success.