Collaboration is not something that comes naturally to everyone. Sure, at an early age we are taught to play nicely in the sandbox and share our toys but that concept doesn’t always withstand the test of self-promotion or the longing to simply do things your own way. One of the biggest challenges in my position as a Recruitment Branding Lead for North America has been working successfully alongside a global team. As a former recruiter I had become accustomed to life in my silo, working independently and treating each job that needed filling as my own. Staying in my lane was comfortable and while I’ve always enjoyed building relationships, partnering on work assignments was certainly never my sweet spot.

The limitations brought forth by this mentality became apparent early on. I knew of the talent that existed among my colleagues but I had no idea as to how to tap into it. Every time I reached out I was more concerned with coming across as “nice” than I was with providing the information pertinent to getting the job done. This created a HUGE barrier, one that called for a complete reassessment of my approach. While I’m still navigating this new frontier I’ve learned a few valuable lessons along the way, ones that have undoubtedly contributed to far more successful partnerships.

Reach Out

Being the newbie is never easy but to isolate yourself only makes it more difficult to find your footing. Striking up conversation for the sake of striking up conversation has never been my forte but when I realized that my colleagues were growing closer and I was growing increasingly lonely, I knew things had to change. The first step was to reach out, to introduce myself and to focus less on what we didn’t have in common while capitalizing upon the opportunities to learn a thing or two. Soon enough I found myself immersed in conversations about design, copyright protocol, brand standards, metal concerts, comic books and before I knew it my team members no longer felt like strangers sitting half a world away. Relationships don’t just happen they take work, they take communication and more often than not it’s up to you to take the initiative.

Clear communication

In high school I was voted friendliest by my peers. Sure, that’s a nice superlative but it isn’t one that is going to get the job done all on its own. The niceties, while appreciated, aren’t going to directly contribute to the bottom line. Provide a clear, concise message around your deliverables, expectations, scope and timeline so that your co-workers are set up for success. Too often I’d send emails that were more centered on ensuring they knew how grateful I was for their assistance as opposed to what I actually needed to be accomplished. The continuous back and forth only caused frustration and while I was liked I wasn’t necessarily the favorite when it came to collaborating. You’re encouraged to occasionally shoot the breeze but draw a clear line of separation between the chatter and the constructive dialogue.

Learn from your manager

Look around you. You’re surrounded by talented people. Your manager is someone who was more likely than not in your seat once upon a time. How did he or she assert themselves into their current position? How did they master the art of managing people? Tap into this resource, ask questions and raise your hand when projects just aren’t going the way you hoped they would. It is better to ask for help than to sit idly while deadlines continue to pass and efforts grow stagnant. I learned all of this the hard way. I was so determined to come across as the direct report who knew what she was doing and rather than exercising some humility, I stressed myself out in an effort to save face. Admit to what you don’t know you’ll be applauded for it. The fastest way to become a leader is to learn from one.

Overall, I’ve found that my best work typically comes as the result of partnering with a fellow team member. Strategies will differ, working styles are very rarely the same across the board but once you’ve solidified the building blocks the rest often happens all on its own. Put your inhibitions aside, believe in the vision and trust your colleagues; creative genius typically unfolds when you do.

About the Author

Lindsay Parks joined Oracle as the Social Recruitment Branding Lead of North America. Prior to coming on board, she spent the first five years of her career recruiting. Current loves include all things social, employer branding and puppy. Follow her daily adventures on Twitter: @LParks2387