Smarter Collaboration: A New Approach to Breaking Down Barriers and Transforming Work

by Heidi K. Gardner, Ivan A. Matviak

Overview

We need a new approach for solving tough problems in a complex world—we need to collaborate smarter.

Market volatility. Sustainability demands. Hybrid working. Opportunities and hazards of fast-changing technology and regulations. Companies and nonprofits face more daunting challenges than ever. How can we collaborate in our organizations—and with outside partners—to solve problems, innovate, and succeed?

Smarter Collaboration offers groundbreaking solutions. This indispensable new book lays out a pragmatic action plan blending rich stories, new empirical research, and loads of practical advice to help companies thrive by collaborating more effectively. As Harvard professor Heidi K. Gardner and senior executive Ivan A. Matviak show, firms that collaborate smarter consistently generate higher revenues and profits, boost innovation, strengthen client relationships, and attract and retain better talent. In this successor to Gardner's bestselling first book, Smart Collaboration, the authors expand their mandate, illustrating the fundamental dynamics of collaborating well across industries like financial services, health care, biotech/pharma, consumer products, automotive, and technology.

Based on their research with thousands of executives from around the world, they share deep insights on how to implement smarter collaboration and avoid the potential pitfalls. They also help leaders troubleshoot thorny challenges like misaligned incentives, collaboration overload, and unintended consequences on diversity and inclusion. Complete with how-tos and cases, the book concludes with inspiring examples of groups harnessing smarter collaboration to tackle society's biggest challenges such as saving the oceans, eradicating diseases, and tackling global warming.

Smarter Collaboration is the essential guide for forward-thinking leaders to transform their organizations, reshape the way they work, and increase impact and success.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647822743
Publisher:	Harvard Business Review Press
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	425,491
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Heidi K. Gardner is a Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School and a former professor at Harvard Business School. Previously a McKinsey consultant and Fulbright Fellow, she is the author of Smart Collaboration: How Professionals and Their Firms Succeed by Breaking Down Silos, a Washington Post bestseller. She was named by Thinkers50 as a Next Generation Business Guru and is cofounder of both the research and advisory firm Gardner & Co and Smart Collaboration International.

Ivan A. Matviak is a senior executive in the global financial services and fintech sectors. Formerly chair of multiple software companies, adviser to private equity firms, and Bain consultant, Matviak is a cofounder of Smart Collaboration International.

Connect with the Heidi K. Gardner and Ivan A. Matviak at gardnerandco.co

Table of Contents

Preface: The Origins of Smarter Collaboration ix

Introduction: Get Smarter about Collaboration 1

Part 1 The Case for Smarter Collaboration

1 The Business Case for Smarter Collaboration 13

2 The Talent Case for Smarter Collaboration 37

Part 2 Assessing Your Collaborative Starting Point

3 Enterprise-Wide Diagnostic 55

4 Individual and Team Diagnostic 75

Part 3 How-To's and Use Cases for Smarter Collaboration

5 Collaborating to Succeed at Hiring and M&A 97

6 Paying People to Collaborate? 115

7 Collaborating through a Sector Lens 139

8 Leading and Sustaining a Collaborative Transformation 159

9 Collaborating with Outside Partners 173

Part 4 Troubleshooting Collaboration Challenges

10 Watch Out: The Illusion of Inclusion 193

11 Watch Out: Pressure Undermines Collaboration 211

12 Watch Out: The Overcommitted Organization 227

13 The Next Frontiers of Smarter Collaboration 247

Acknowledgments 259

Notes 263

Index 281

About the Authors 291

Editorial Reviews

"This is an essential guide for forward-thinking leaders who want to transform their organizations, reshape the way they work, and increase impact and success." — SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management)

Advance Praise for Smarter Collaboration:

"In the coming years, one of the most significant private-sector divides will be between companies that embrace collaboration, bridge-building, and collective action to help them thrive and those that remain limited by siloed thinking and poor partnership skills. Gardner and Matviak will help your business ensure it is on the right side of that line." — Paul Polman, former CEO, Unilever; business leader; campaigner; coauthor, Net Positive

"The authors' deep grasp of the business world combines with expertise in the psychology underpinning our human foibles. The result is actionable advice for implementing smarter collaboration to capture its financial and human benefits." — Amy C. Edmondson, professor, Harvard Business School; author, The Fearless Organization

"Gardner and Matviak provide leaders with a clear guide to making smarter collaboration happen. It's full of tips on today's most pressing topics, including hybrid working, inclusion, diversity and equity, and the role of technology and analytics. This is a must-read for any business leader." — Nhlamu Dlomu, Global Head of People, KPMG International

"An organization's culture determines its destiny. Smarter Collaboration does an excellent job of showing you how to get a great one." — Ray Dalio, Founder, Bridgewater Associates; author, Principles

"Everyone talks about collaboration, but relatively few people actually know how to do it effectively. Gardner and Matviak have written the go-to guide for doing collaboration right. Their use cases for smarter collaboration will resonate deeply with any business leader who's seeking to rev up innovation, profitability, and employee engagement." — Gunjan Kedia, Vice Chairman, U.S. Bank

"With the scale and complexity of challenges facing business and society today, knowing how to collaborate—how to really collaborate—is one of the most important skills of our time. Through pragmatic insight and engaging examples, Gardner and Matviak illuminate a path for leaders that begins with truly valuing the wisdom people bring, and results in innovations beyond what any one group could create alone." — Sandy Speicher, former CEO, IDEO

From the Publisher