Relationships, collaboration and the power of community.

BY DANIEL COLE

As we all brace ourselves for the festive season, it is important we don’t lose sight of one of the critical lessons we’ve all have learnt during this pandemic and lockdown, which is the power of community; the awakening and subtle realization, that in difficult circumstances; people will always be our first and last resort. The reality is, irrespective of our individuality or personality type, we all need community, especially in times like these.

We appreciate the ingenuity of Eric Yuan, the founder of Zoom, and all other inventors who have provided us platforms or Apps to help bridge the communication or interaction gap, as we observe physical or social distancing, but still, the reality is, as humans we need physical interaction to be functional and remain sane.

I have always adopted a worldview or perspective that every dark cloud has a silver lining. In retrospect, as I take an inventory of the year, I am reminded of things that ordinarily I wouldn’t have attempted, but now I do. Significant connections or relationships I may never have formed, but now I do. Projects I may never have embarked on, but now I have. Life and unexpected circumstances have a way of adjusting our ‘default settings’ and moving us to a new paradigm if we are not overly focused on the negativities of the contingent issues.

In any of life’s endeavors, to move ahead, you need to move and work with people. You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together. Sometimes, the only thing wrong with your dream is you are trying to do it alone. It takes collaboration to scale new heights. In the words of Alexander Graham Bell, “Great discoveries and improvements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds.” There is power in collaboration if it’s properly harnessed.

Most global corporations or inventions have a history of being founded by two or more people. Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the WhatsApp App by Jan Koun and Brian Acton. Apple by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin and others. The Wright brothers (Wilbur Wright and Orville) were the pioneers of the first successful motor-operated airplane. Oftentimes, the dreams that will outlive you are the dreams you work with others to accomplish.

I often hear people say when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Well, maybe that is true to some extent, but I think when the going gets tough, the tough should seek collaboration. It is useless to keep doing what is not working or serving you. Don’t bother about who gets the credit as long as the goal is accomplished.

Relationships: The lockdown has put to test and exposes the efficacy and the authenticity of so-called friendships, relationships or even mentorships. You see, when the dust settles and when it’s all said and done, we won’t only remember how we survived this difficult season, but we will also remember those who care enough to say, how are you keeping up.

You need to understand where people belong in your life, their role and your expectations of them, and how you appropriate your time, energy, and resources to those relationships.

Most people are loyal to their need of you, not necessarily to you, and once those needs are met, the “relationship” has run its course. Relational maturity and intelligence are critical, especially in times like these, so you don’t dissipate your energy unnecessarily.

In a few weeks, we will all bid 2020 goodbye, as you take time out for self-inventory, kindly ask yourself, what held me back this year, apart from the pandemic? What relationships should I have leveraged that would have given my business or company significant exposure? What can I do differently next year?