--- title: "Leaders: Are You Making Effective Collaboration a Must?" description: I was invited to join a team today and was surprised by the statement of the leader that we would not be leveraging any collaboration tools but rathe --- [![thrive logo](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/header-logo.png?width=200&height=58&name=header-logo.png "thrive logo")](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/) # Blog **Thrive** Thrive Magazines [![resource-img-2](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/resource-img-2.png?width=275&name=resource-img-2.png "resource-img-2")](https://flipboard.com/@maureenennis/digital-age-leadership-essentials-pvblgrp5y?utm_campaign=widgets&utm_medium=web&utm_source=magazine_widget) [Digital Age Leadership Essentials](https://flipboard.com/@maureenennis/digital-age-leadership-essentials-pvblgrp5y?utm_campaign=widgets&utm_medium=web&utm_source=magazine_widget) by Maureen Ennis [![resource-img-3](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/resource-img-3.png?width=275&name=resource-img-3.png "resource-img-3")](https://flipboard.com/@maureenennis/high-impact-manager-b19uohj4y?utm_campaign=widgets&utm_medium=web&utm_source=magazine_widget) [High-Impact Manager](https://flipboard.com/@maureenennis/high-impact-manager-b19uohj4y?utm_campaign=widgets&utm_medium=web&utm_source=magazine_widget) by Maureen Ennis [![resource-img-1](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/resource-img-1.png?width=275&name=resource-img-1.png "resource-img-1")](https://flipboard.com/@maureenennis/leading-with-emotional-intelligence-hvo3dpt1y) [Leading with Emotional Intelligence](https://flipboard.com/@maureenennis/leading-with-emotional-intelligence-hvo3dpt1y) by Maureen Ennis Latest Posts ## [Leaders: Are You Making Effective Collaboration a Must?](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/Blog/bid/30484/Leaders-Are-You-Making-Effective-Collaboration-a-Must) Posted by [Maureen Ennis](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/blog/author/maureen-ennis) ![](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/hs-fs/file-1359618429-png/Headshots/Maureen.png?width=35&name=Maureen.png) Find me on: [![linkedin logo](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png) LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/colemanennis/) Nov 13, 2009 10:06:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) I was invited to join a team today, and was surprised by the statement of the leader that we would not be leveraging any collaboration tools, but rather just  the "reply all" function in email. Ugggggghhhh!!!  I had an immediate visceral reaction... "*Not me!  I don't want an onslaught of unconnected messages in my email!  I work hard to be effective and efficient in all aspects of life and work, and don't want this to muck it up. I've got too much to do already*!"  As with many of the teams we all get asked to participate on,  this team is a great opportunity to contribute to work that is important to me, and get exposure to peers and a leader I respect and could learn from. So I should just get over it right?  What I noticed about myself in this situation is that only working with teams that are open to using modern technology for effective collaboration is now a **stand **for me.  For years I have worked to help the teams I am on adopt new technology, and certainly this is one of the core aspects of creating high performing team that I work on with business leaders.  I have quit teams and organizations before because they were ineffective and frustrating (including how they collaborated online.)  But this is the first time I have the clarity to say, when I have a choice, I will only participate with groups, organizations and teams that are willing to go to the effort to adopt and use discussion groups, wikis, and other tools outside of email. I am a self admitted change junky- I thrive on finding and adopting new ways to work.   So, I am not the norm here.  As a leader, you probably don't have to worry too much about people like me deserting your organizations in mass.  BUT, if you are leading a virtual team, and you are not leveraging these tools, there probably are people on your team who are feeling this frustration.   More importantly.... you are missing a fantastic opportunity as a leader!  Great teams not only accomplish their mission effectively, but connect people and provide insights on new tools and practices.  Yes, it is change; and as a leader, you will have to put some effort into helping people learn and let go of old habits.  I don't understimate or dismiss that.  The good news, is once you get people going on it, the amount of effort will lessen the next time you charter a team.   It is inevitable that effective virtual collaboration will be required for leaders of the future.  Last night I came across an Executive Summary for anew book about it: Leadershift:  Reinventing Leadership for the Age of Mass Collaboration. Check it out! If you are a **member** of a team or group that needs to collaborate effectively consider these actions: - Be open and willing to try new practices:  it may take a little more effort upfront but you will get exposure to new tools you WILL need for future effectiveness. - If you are comfortable with online tools, identify someone on the team that is not and set up a 1-1 session and share your insights. - Make an offer to help the leader institute these practices. - Speak up, take a stand if you are frustrated. Make a difference! **Need some help identifying how to effectively use collaboration tools for your virtual teams? **[**Contact us**](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/maureen-ennis/)**, we would be glad to help you identify the right toolset for your team and help you create a plan for engaging everyone on the team in effective new practices.** Topics: [collaboration](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/blog/topic/collaboration), [change](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/blog/topic/change), [Leadership](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/blog/topic/leadership), [tools and technology](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/blog/topic/tools-and-technology) ### Thrive Insights delivered straight to your inbox ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Leadership (10)](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [change (10)](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/blog/topic/change) - [business leader (9)](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/blog/topic/business-leader) - [agility (6)](https://www.thrivedigitalera.com/blog/topic/agility) - 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