Collaboration works effectively when everyone involved in the process understands the power of the inner hero of conflict. In other words, it is extremely difficult to encourage or motivate anybody who is not self-motivated. Such motivation quickly fades away. Stephen R. Covey stated:
“Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.”
Few years ago, I learned this lesson first-hand when I went hiking with my friends at Humphreys Peak, Flagstaff, Arizona. Humphreys Peak is the highest mountain in Arizona—12,633 ft elevation (about 4.5 miles one way), and takes about 3-4 hours one way to hike to the summit. I must confess if I would have gone by myself to hike Humphreys Peak for the first time, I would have found it incredibly difficult, challenging, and unrealistic. But with the support from my friends, Kevin and Alex who enjoy hiking, I was able to accomplish my goal. Hiking at Humphreys Peak taught me three great lessons.
1. Believe in Yourself
The most powerful tool in the journey of life is to engage in ‘internal verbal behavior,’ which can also be called soul searching, and self-talk. There is no amount of motivational videos, speeches or books that can have direct effect on human mind without the permission of the mind itself. Even though I had like-minded friends to hike at Humphreys Peak, my breakthrough kicked in after I had an internal verbal behavior. It was then, that my friends’ support became helpful and attainable.
2. Collaborate with others who have Similar Interests
‘Iron sharpens iron.’ There is strength in working together with people who see the big picture and have personal commitments in achieving a collective goal. My goal of hiking at Humphreys Peak was accomplished because I believed in myself and had friends who were looking the same direction. When these two constructs (believe in myself and collaborate with similar minds) are in concert, achieving a collective goal becomes easier.
3. Take Action by Applying the Five Principles of Collaboration
Believing in yourself and associating with individuals who share common interests, sound convincing. But without adding action in the game, the effort becomes useless—because action is the measure of the Five Principles of Collaboration. And the Five Principles of Collaboration test our inner heroes of conflicts. The exercising of trust, willingness, respect, empowerment, and effective communication to one another only come to fruition when the mind and body align to do so. Everything ever created starts with thoughts. And those thoughts were translated into actions. Therefore, let us become our own inner heroes of conflicts by controlling our thoughts. And only when we take charge of our minds can we effectively collaborate with one another.
Click Collaboration to read more about the principles.