I approach each new project with the focus of a high stakes-contract, and the sense of play you'd associate with a game of hide and seek.  Creative collaboration is not my hobby; it is my job.  I treat is as such.  I work hard at it.  I love process, but I delight in successful project completion.  I focus on finding the balance between the two.  Both joy and quality come from this balance.

The collaborative spirit I enjoy can be broken down into four concepts:

Personal Excellence

I believe in calendars and timelines.  I come to meetings prepared.  I generate ideas on the meeting topic prior to the scheduled time of collaboration. I read the material the group is building from and contribute additional research as necessary.  I complete delegated work early and distribute to the team quickly and evenly.  

Translation

The process of collaboration is translating ideas.  As we work together we refine those definitions through feedback.  This translation is interactive and fluid.

Trust

I trust that the group will respect my expertise, unique contributions, and individual differences.  I trust that unformed ideas will be accepted as fodder rather than unusable spare parts.  You may trust that I will offer equal treatment in return.

Play

I expect push back on my ideas.  I enjoy banter and playing devil's advocate.  I love throwing spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks.  

 

My collaborative process is based on clear communication.

 I prefer to identify project roles, responsibilities, timelines, and vocabulary at the top of every project.  As projects evolve they can take on their own life. Goals and responsibilities often shift as the project progresses.  Changes can occur more smoothly if a strong framework has been established in advance.  This does not imply a hierarchical structure.  It is about delegation, responsibility to the group, and capitalizing on expertise.