National Network for Equitable Library Service

Everyone knows that collaboration creates high performing teams and organizations. Yet it often doesn’t happen because people and groups typically believe that the problem is always outside: the other team member, the other department, the other company. Bestselling author Ken Blanchard and his coauthors use Blanchard’s signature business parable style to show that, in fact, collaboration begins with you. This book teaches people at all levels—from entry-level associates to top executives—that it’s up to them to help promote and preserve a winning culture of collaboration. The authors show that busting silos and bringing people together is an inside-out process that involves your heart (your character and intentions), your head (your beliefs and attitudes), and your hands (your actions and behaviors). Working with this three-part approach, Collaboration Begins with You helps readers develop a collaborative culture by utilizing differences; nurturing safety and trust; instituting a clear purpose, values, and goals; talking openly; and empowering themselves and others. None of us is as smart as all of us. When people recognize and change erroneous beliefs and actions regarding collaboration, silos are broken down, failures are turned into successes, and breakthrough results are achieved at every level.