5 essential collaboration skills to supercharge your team’s productivity

Teams are made up of people. And people are, well, human. They have different work ethics and communication styles, bad days and good days, conflicts and cliques — and until machines replace us, understanding how to make your team work more effectively together is a must. So without further ado, here’s a guide to the essential collaboration skills you need to master.

What does collaboration look like in the workplace?

Being a good teammate isn’t just about doing a coffee round or saying ‘yes’ to everything (although a round of drinks helps). It’s about how you engage with others — how you connect, and how you navigate group dynamics, even when you don’t see eye-to-eye. Or in other words, it’s about having stellar emotional intelligence.

Good collaborators find the sweet spot between expressing their desires and knowing what the team needs. They’re also open to feedback, they can compromise, and they have strong self-awareness.

Collaboration also shows in the little things. It’s the teammate who checks in on a colleague who’s having a tough day, or the person who takes a risk and suggests a better way of doing things. It’s being responsible, reliable, and consistent.

If that sounds like someone you’d like on your team, then you’d be right: good collaborators are great colleagues.

What are the benefits of good collaboration?

Nobody does their best work in isolation. For truly great results, you’ll want a blend of ideas and perspectives. Working together also means people can do what they do best, while leaning on others to fill the gaps.

Done well, collaboration turns work into a shared mission, rather than a series of to-do list items. It creates trust, builds morale, and brings out a sense of ownership in everyone involved. And that’s powerful. People are more engaged when they feel heard and supported.

Teamwork also opens the door for growth. Those moments when someone challenges your thoughts or adds a fresh angle are where real innovation starts. Plus, working together encourages learning: People get better just by tackling problems together in real-time.

Collaboration — 

• Boosts creativity by combining diverse perspectives
• Improves efficiency through task-sharing and delegation
• Enhances problem-solving by leveraging team strengths
• Promotes learning by exposing new ideas and approaches
• Builds trust through shared goals and communication
• Fosters accountability as team members rely on each other
• Increases morale with a sense of shared purpose
• Delivers better outcomes through collective effort
• Encourages adaptability by navigating change together.

Why should good collaboration matter to managers?

Dealing with conflict is a major part of being a manager. But as you’re well aware, your job is more than just putting out fires. It’s also about motivation.

Social connections are essential to the teamwork experience. In fact, one study found that teams made up of friends performed better than groups made up of acquaintances or strangers.

Seunghoo Chung is a doctoral student in management and human resources at Ohio State. He says: “When you’re working with friends, you tend to be in a better mood and can work through the adversity and strain that sometimes comes from having to produce a lot in a short time.”

Friends can also “coordinate tasks more effectively,” he adds. “They know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and can figure out how to break up the work in the most efficient way.”

So the key to getting the most out of your team may involve treating them more like friends rather than colleagues.

This doesn’t mean you all have to be best friends already (and in fact, more often than not, this isn’t possible), but there are things you can do to help them build that social connection faster.

6 essential collaboration skills (and how to grow them)

Now let’s explore how to master this skill, whether you’re a manager or team member.

1. Create a culture of openness

Mistakes and missed deadlines happen. The best way to recover? Be honest and propose a solution.

Creating a culture of openness means leading with transparency, so that when problems do crop up, people feel comfortable tackling them sooner — before they turn into bigger issues.

Fostering openness means:

• Owning mistakes and suggesting solutions — it builds trust and helps move things forward.
• Encouraging early communication to address issues before they grow.
• Foster a non-judgmental environment where everyone feels safe to share issues and ideas.
• Leading by example
• Setting clear channels for communication
• Letting everyone know it’s safe to speak up.

Top tip: Lead by example. Be open about your own mistakes, and encourage others to do the same.

1. Encourage positive feedback

Positive feedback isn’t about flattery, nor is it a tool for cheering someone up. It promotes engagement and confidence while contributing to a culture where everyone feels motivated to do their best

Helping others feel valued is a key part of being a manager, so set the tone for the rest of the team and lead by example.

When giving feedback:

• Be specific. Instead of saying, “Your report was a disaster,” say, “The report was missing the budget figures we agreed on.” Or instead of “you did great today!”, say, “Your presentation was really engaging, and helped me understand X”
• Focus on actions, not people. Talk about what happened, not about someone’s character.
• Balance the good and the bad. People are more open to hearing what needs fixing if you also notice what they did well.
• Remember to give out positive feedback fairly and equally — you may well have your faves, but showing it could strain relationships in the group.

When receiving feedback:

• Listen without interrupting. It’s easy to get defensive, but try to hear the real message.
• Ask questions. Make sure you understand the feedback so you can act on it.
• Thank the person. Even if the feedback is hard to hear, it shows they care about your work.

1. Ask questions (and respond appropriately)

Asking questions gets you to the crux of a problem, all while breaking the tension. Encourage your team to use helpful language, like asking “why” instead of saying “no” or the dreaded “yes, but….”

This subtle yet potent shift changes the tone, helping everyone see they’re working toward the same goal — it just might be from different angles.

Using questions effectively means:

• Instead of saying “no” or “yes, but,” ask someone to explain why they feel a certain way.
• Focusing on details. Encourage others to elaborate. The more you know about their concerns, the better you can reach a fix.
• Staying calm and positive. Respond with curiosity rather than defensiveness, and make sure your questions help move the conversation forward.

1. Get to know your team

If you’ve been with the same team for a while, you’ll probably have a good idea of who clicks. You know who to pair up with, and who to keep separate. But have you thought about why? Or whether your usual teammate combos are genuinely effective?

Understanding your colleagues goes beyond friendship groups — it’s about recognizing different personalities and working styles. What may seem like a clash could just be a difference in communication, and once that’s fixed, they could be a dream pairing. Train yourself (and your colleagues) to spot these differences, and better teamwork will follow.

Getting to know your team means:

• Understanding communication styles. Some people prefer directness, others need more context. Recognizing these differences helps people collaborate.
• Seeing the strengths and challenges of each person. People bring different skills and attitudes to the table. Understanding these makes it easier to assign tasks.
• Recognizing team chemistry. Some people naturally work well together, while others need guidance to collaborate smoothly.
• Taking time to talk to your team. Ask questions about their preferences and work habits.

1. Listening actively

Active listening doesn’t mean staying quiet when someone else is talking. It means paying attention to what they say and signalling that you care. You can do this verbally with thoughtful responses, and via your body language with an open posture, nodding appropriately, and good eye contact.

It’s a crucial soft skill that builds trust, helping people feel heard and respected. That’s important because if someone thinks you’re not listening, they might stop sharing good ideas. Or worse, they might shut down completely. And that’s curtains for collaboration.

When you listen actively, you:

• Focus on the speaker, not on what you’ll say next
• Nod or give small signs that you’re following
• Ask questions if something isn’t clear
• Repeat back key points to check you’ve understood.

A simple trick to listen better:
Before you reply to someone, pause. Summarize what you just heard in your head (or even out loud). This small habit helps you stay present and avoids misunderstandings.

1. Communicating clearly and thoughtfully

If people don’t comprehend your meaning, you’ll both feel the frustration. Similarly, if you don’t acknowledge someone else’s way of working and make space for that, resentment will grow.

Not everyone shares their thoughts in the same way. Some people think best when they talk things out, while others need a little time to formulate their ideas. Being aware of these differences really helps make a better team.

Clear communication means:

• Avoiding jargon, vague words, or long, confusing sentences. Keep it simple and direct.
• Checking understanding. Don’t assume people “get it.” Ask if they need more details or examples.
• Being honest and polite. You can be clear and kind at the same time. If something’s wrong, speak up — but do it in a way that’s respectful.
• Getting comfortable asking, “How do you prefer to communicate?” and accepting the answer.
• Digging deeper when you don’t see someone’s point. A few clarifying questions can turn a vague thought into the breakthrough your team needed.
• When writing a message online, watch your spelling, and  keep a positive vibe. If you’re unsure, throwing in an emoji or GIF can help lighten things up.
• Knowing how to adapt to different communication styles.

Top tip: After important conversations, follow up with a short summary by email or message. It keeps everyone aligned and reduces the chance of confusion later.

1. Being open-minded

Collaboration brings ideas that challenge your own. Being open-minded means giving all ideas a shot, even the unexpected ones.

When teams welcome different viewpoints, they tackle problems quicker and deal with fewer conflicts since everyone shows respect. Remember, collaboration isn’t about proving who’s right — it’s about finding the best solution together.

Being open-minded looks like:

• Listening fully before judging. Even if you think an idea won’t work, hear the whole thing first.
• Asking, not assuming. If something sounds odd, ask questions to understand it better instead of dismissing it.
• Letting go of “my way is best.” Sometimes, another person’s idea — or a mix of ideas — ends up stronger than your original plan.
• Creating a space where brainstorming isn’t about proving you’re right — it’s about discovering what might work.

Top tip:
Next time someone suggests something new, say: “Tell me more about that.”
This small phrase helps keep the door open — and it might lead somewhere better than you expected.

1. Taking responsibility (and managing yourself)

If one person drops the ball, everyone feels it. Taking responsibility means owning your work (mistakes included) without excuses. It’s not about perfection — it’s about being someone others can count on.

Teams that trust each other move faster and get better results. Responsibility keeps things running smoothly, making collaboration easier and more focused on success.

Taking responsibility shows up in lots of ways:

• Doing what you said you’d do. Meet deadlines. Complete tasks to a high quality. If you said you’d handle something, make sure it’s done.
• Owning mistakes without blame. If you miss something or slip up, own it. It’s better to fix it early than to hide it and cause bigger problems later.
• Asking for help. Responsibility doesn’t mean doing everything alone. It means speaking up early if you’re stuck so the team can stay on track.
• Keeping promises, even small ones. Following through — even on tiny things — builds trust over time.

• Know your tasks and deadlines. Keep track of what you need to do and when it’s due.
• Staying organized. Use tools like to-do lists, calendars, or project management apps to stay on top of things.
• Staying accountable. Make sure your part is completed on time — and let others know if something’s going off track.

Top tip: At the end of any meeting or planning session, clearly say what you are personally committing to. It makes your role clear — and shows others that you’re someone they can trust.

1. Resolving conflict constructively

No matter how well a team gels, conflict will happen. It’s natural. People have different priorities and styles. What matters isn’t avoiding difficult conversations — it’s knowing how to handle it without making things worse.

In fact, when you handle conflict well, it can actually strengthen a team, leading to better ideas and deeper respect among team members.

Handling conflict constructively means:

• Staying calm when emotions run high. Taking a breath (or even a short break) can stop things boiling over.
• Focusing on the issue, not the person. Avoid getting personal!
• Listening to understand.  Repeating back what you heard (“So you’re saying you felt left out of the decision?”) can cool tensions fast because the person feels seen.
• Looking for a win-win. Instead of pushing to dominate, look for mutually beneficial solutions.
• Agreeing on clear next steps. End conflicts by deciding what actions will happen next — not just agreeing in words.

Top tip: If a disagreement gets heated, suggest a five-minute breather. Let people gather their thoughts before continuing. A small pause can save a lot of damage.

1. Building trust

Trust is the glue that holds any team together. In teams where it’s running low, people second-guess each other and try to hide their mistakes. But in high-trust teams, people are honest and quick to help. That’s when real collaboration — the kind that creates amazing results — happens.

Trust takes time to build. It’s about proving to others, over and over, that you mean what you say, that you respect them, and that you’re looking out for the team, not just yourself.

Trust grows when you:

• Keep your word. If you promise to do something, deliver on it — even the small stuff.
• Be honest, even when it’s hard. Teams value truth over comfort.
• Give credit freely. It shows you’re not just in it for yourself.
• Show up on time. Pay attention during meetings. Prepare properly. These small signs of respect matter more than you might think.
• Handle mistakes gracefully. When you or someone else messes up, focus on fixing the issue, not blaming.

Top tip: Look for small chances to show reliability — like being five minutes early, or offering help without being asked. Trust is built through hundreds of tiny moments like these.

1. Adapting to change

Things rarely go according to plan. Priorities shift. Tech breaks. A key person gets sick. Teams that succeed aren’t the ones that sidestep obstacles — they’re the ones that roll with the punches.

Like most soft skills, it’s best learned by example. Leaders and team veterans who respond to setbacks with calm and problem-solving set the tone for everyone else. Instead of freaking out or pointing fingers, they ask, “Okay, what now?” That mindset spreads.

Being adaptable looks like:

• Staying positive when plans change. A flexible attitude helps others stay calm too.
• Looking for solutions, not just problems. When something shifts, immediately focus on what you can do to move forward.
• Letting go of “how it was supposed to be.” Sometimes, the new plan turns out even better — but you have to give it a real chance.
• Helping others adjust. Encourage teammates who might feel frustrated or lost when changes happen.

Top tip: When a change happens, instead of thinking, “This ruins everything,” try thinking, “This could lead to something better.” That small mindset tweak can make a big difference — not just for you, but for the whole team.

1. Find the ‘why’

When people understand why they’re doing something, they’re much more inclined to do it well, because they can see how their hard work contributes to the bigger picture. This is true in collaboration, too.

Understanding the ‘why’ means:

• Being clear on the bigger goal. Know what the end result is, and how your task helps get there.
• Seeing your impact. It’s easy to stay focused when you understand that your role matters.
• Feeling motivated by purpose. When people connect their work to a larger vision, they’re more driven to put in their best effort.

Top tip: Be open about the project’s goals and explain how each person’s job fits in. When everyone sees how their work plays a key role, they’ll work together with more focus and motivation.

1. Disagreeing constructively

The only thing worse than not reaching an agreement? A team of people who blindly agree just to avoid conflict. Quality slips, opportunities pass by, and problems slip through the net — sometimes with catastrophic results.

Disagreeing doesn’t mean you’re not collaborating — in fact, quite the opposite. Strong teams are made up of people who understand that challenging an idea is a way to refine it, not a reason for conflict. To achieve this, leave egos and defensiveness at the door, stay respectful, and always keep the focus on the goal.

Disagreeing constructively means:

• Focusing on ideas, not people. It’s not about rejecting someone’s perspective; it’s about refining the concept.
• Staying respectful. Debate should be about improving the work, not attacking the person presenting it.
• Looking for solutions, not winning. The goal is to make the work better, not to prove you’re right.

Top tip: Leaders can make a difference by showing how to disagree in a healthy way — establishing rules for discussions, making sure that feedback is positive, or even holding friendly debate training so people can get used to engaging with different opinions in a low-stakes environment.

Use collaboration tools for better results

Collaboration tools like Backlog help teams work better together by keeping tasks organized, deadlines clear, and progress visible. With one cloud-based hub, it offers a common space where everyone can stay on the same page, cutting down on misunderstandings and making sure details don’t slip through the cracks.

It’s simple to assign tasks, track milestones, and share updates all in one spot. With everything organized in one place, teams can adapt to changes and manage their responsibilities better — making work feel smoother, and your team unstoppable. Ready to give it a try?

This post was originally published on October 16, 2019, and updated most recently on May 16, 2025.