How to Build a Collaborative Project Culture with Deb Mashek, author of Collabor(h)ate

Collaboration is a vital aspect of all Project Management. Yet there are few sources of really helpful, practical advice. Deb Mashek is a psychologist who has just written a fantastic book, Collabor(h)ate that I can recommend to all PMs. So, I wanted to discuss some of its ideas with her.

We discussed:
1. The foundation to Deb Mashek's book – and her thinking – is a simple model, the 'Mashek Matrix'. Deb describes how it works.

2. Relationship quality is vital to good collaboration and Collabor(h)ate offers nine very practical strategies to improve it. We discuss some that are particularly relevant in the project context.

3. Interdependence is the second axis of the Mashek Matrix. And Deb's book offers 10 strategies to optimize it for the team. Again, we discuss a few favorite examples.

4. Collabor(h)ate has a great chapter on creating a workshop and using the Mashek Matrix as a tool to improve collaboration. So, we discuss how Project Managers can build a collaborative project culture.

* * * Deb Mashek * * *
Deb Mashek is a psychologist who applies relationship science to help people collaborate better. Why? Because skilled collaborators build strong teams, and strong teams build successful organizations.

Deb’s consulting business, Myco Consulting, specializes in helping teams to collaborate. Whether it is establishing a culture of collaboration in a new team, or harnessing the potential of great collaboration in an existing one. Or maybe helping team members who are struggling to connect across lines of difference.

- - - Connect with Deb Mashek

Recommended Videos
Carefully curated video recommendations for you:
🎬 What is Collaboration?
🎬 Real Project Team: What Will You Do to Create One?
🎬 What is Your Psychological Distance?
🎬 Project Team Leadership: 5 Tips for Leading Your Project Team
🎬 Get to Grips with Project Politics
🎬 Vendor Management: How to Work with Vendors
🎬 How to Manage Vendors: Getting the Best Results

🎒 A while back, I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list.
Note that the links are affiliated.

⏱ Chapter Markers...
00:00 - Start
01:41 - Why is it important to collaborate?
02:05 - The Mashek Matrix
04:39 - CollaborGREAT
05:14 - Collabor(h)ate
05:50 - The Brick Wall
07:23 - How to move from Collabor(h)ate to CollaborGREAT
08:07 - Strategies to improve relationships on projects
08:49 - Expectation setting
11:15 - Bring the Donuts - Exchange Norms & Communal Norms
15:26 - Being Responsive
17:50 - Avoid telling yourself stories
20:31 - Optimizing the level of interdependence
21:25 - How work is structured, measured, and rewarded
23:49 - How often we connect
25:59 - Project components
27:19 - Three ways to organize work
29:08 - Waigaya
30:24 - How to improve collaboration
30:51 - How do I do about building a collaborative team?
33:42 - Culture and collaboration
35:44 - Requirements for a collaborative culture
39:41 - Some closing thoughts from Deb Mashek and Mike Clayton
41:16 - Arthur Himmelman Collaboration Continuum
42:23 - Getting in touch with Deb Mashek and learning more about her ideas
43:18 - Close

#Collaboration #ProjectManagement #DebMashek