PERSONAL BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES THAT FACILITATE COLLABORATION

The heart of collaboration consists of individuals working together. Regardless of the larger context, each of us can either foster or hinder collaboration in our day-today contacts with other people. These are some suggestions to consider in working with families and other service providers:

• Be willing to listen to and understand the needs, goals, and procedures of others.
• Respect the operating procedures of other individuals and organizations.
• Keep the goal in mind.
• Be flexible enough to accept numerous paths to the goal.
• Be willing to let go of some decision-making power
• Be the first to offer to share a resource, assist in an activity, or try a different way.
• Let someone else take the lead in carrying out an activity.
• Give others the credit for having accomplished an objective or achieved a success.
• Reach out to a counterpart in another agency. Invite him to participate in an upcoming activity or planning effort.

(Jesien, 1996)

Pathways: A Training and Resource Guide for Enhancing Skills in Early Intervention Service Coordination