Collaboration, Coordination, and Connection: Three Cs of Success

As a consultant for organizational development and a corporate trainer, I spend a lot of time helping people and organizations work better and smarter. On this blog I offer advice about the nuts and bolts of employment issues, like trends in employment, writing a better resume, honing a professional persona, dealing with annoying coworkers, etc.

My job is to help people be successful, and there are few things as important to success as working with other people and networking. The road to success is paved with collaboration, coordination, and connections. Those are the keys to success for us as individuals, for companies, and for cities, regions, and states.

I also believe that people should look at the wider world and try to collaborate outside of their immediate circle and industry as much as possible.

That is why I am such a big believer in and supporter of organizations like Leadership Greater Washington (LGW), which connects and trains leaders from across the Washington D.C.-area’s diverse cultures of business, politics, government, education, and nonprofits.

I am proud to serve as the new chairman of LGW and am excited to carry on and further develop the work that we do, which is to promote leadership, regionalism, diversity, collaboration, synergy, and integrity.

The passing of the gavel!
With past board chairs Lyles Carr, Howard Stone, and Garry Curtis.

LGW helps develop the cross-cultural leadership skills to work together across broad cultural and organizational differences for the good of the region. Leadership Greater Washington is a powerful catalyst for our regional leaders.

LGW’s mission statement:

To identify and connect diverse leaders and stimulate their collaborative efforts through dynamic education and membership programs that promote dialogue, cooperation, and involvement, enabling area leaders to find effective solutions to regional challenges.

LGW’s vision statement:

We believe in the power of relationships. We believe that when leaders in the Greater Washington area come together across professional, cultural, and economic divides we can build trusted relationships. In collaboration we cultivate the understanding that inspires us to make impactful, positive changes needed to build a healthy and thriving community.

I want you to think about what you are doing not just for your own career, but for your organization, your area, your city, or your region:

• What are you doing to collaborate, coordinate, and connect?
• How are you building your cross-cultural, collaborative leadership skills?
• Do you have a similar organization in your area you could join?
• Is there a business or social group you can join or even start?

This is big picture stuff, and I encourage everyone to develop these much-needed skills, to reach across divides and differences, develop relationships, and work together. It's good for you as a professional, it's good for your company and your industry, and it’s good for the wider world.