When you plan an event or engage in a collaborative endeavor, do you prepare for success or do you simply go about most situations in the same ways. To prepare for success means that you think about what it takes to make each unique endeavor successful. People who do that know that no two endeavors and no people are exactly the same, and to prepare for success means that you think about the unique qualities that people or endeavors pose, and respond to those unique qualities in ways that spell success.
For example, if you're going away with loved ones, before hand you'll want to think about what makes a getaway with those people successful--what do they need to be happy? Or if you're working with another team to forward a new initiative, you want to think about the unique traits, interests, focus and personality of that team. How can you make them comfortable and support their best collaboration with you and for your initiative?
Too often we initiate efforts without thinking about those who will be impacted by those initiatives. When we do that, we generally create and face more obstacles than necessary.
So how can we institute this "prepare for success" effort - what can we do? With any endeavor we can think about the following aspects of conversation, place, timing, and comfort.
Conversation
First, it's important to think about good manners with regard to conversation. Greet people warmly. Look people in the eyes when they speak. Don't interrupt. Use active listening. Interject your points in a clear and concise way. Use appropriate humor if applicable. Don't include antagonistic, controversial topics if possible.
Place
Speak and act in a place of comfort. If the people you are working and/or speaking with are uncomfortable in any way, the initiative will not be as successful.
Timing
Like place, timing is critical. Find the right time of day to meet and/or talk.
Comfort
Use words, analogies, places and timing that is comfortable. To do that means you set the stage for less stress which is good for any collaboration.
It is important to think deeply about the people you confer and collaborate with. What do they need for successful collaboration and connection? What can you do to create a stressless, comfortable, engaging situation for good care and camaraderie. Know that what you do for one person or group will be different than another person or group since individuals and groups require different supports for good work and connection. That's why preparing for success is so important. Onward.