Opposites spur teams on

Despite corporate investment in collaboration tools and technologies, independent research suggests that teamwork has yet to catch on - fewer than 50% of professionals in the UK, for example, say they enjoy working in a team. Philosophers from The School of Life and Dropbox give several reasons for this in a joint study, "The Vices and Virtues of Collaboration ". These range from "followers who profit from the achievements of others without contributing anything themselves" to "being pushed into the background by others" to the clash of too many egos in the team. The right tools are obviously only one factor of several for effective teamwork. The approach is critical - and this is where the popular notion of collaboration can be misleading.

Harmonious process?

An online image search on the topic of "collaboration " reveals rows and rows of people smiling, joining hands, putting the pieces of the puzzle together, and pulling together. So the logical conclusion is that collaboration is a smooth, harmonious process where everyone involved quickly agrees and comes to the same conclusion. The misconception that good collaboration within a team must be characterized by general unity keeps companies from achieving the kind of dynamic collaboration that leads to truly breakthrough ideas.

When people with different points of view and individual strengths come together, completely new solutions should emerge. Differences and individuality are factors that lead to different ways of looking at things. Do not insist on a harmonious approach, but allow conflicts! In this way, you can avoid blinkered thinking and views born of group pressure.

Let different opinions collide

We live in a time when new ideas can overthrow old ideas and evolve into world-changing ventures. Conformism can be the downfall of any company. All it takes is for another company to take its place, one that is not afraid of internal strife, to implement the next breakthrough idea and take the market by storm. Collaboration works best when different opinions collide and sparks fly - because those sparks lead to new ideas and ways of thinking. And you can only achieve this goal by bringing team members' disagreements to light.

Creating spaces for opposites

What basis for collaboration provides the ideal breeding ground for this kind of constructive disagreement? First, you must ensure that your employees do not equate their work with their personality. They need to be confident that they can make risky and unusual suggestions without compromising their self-esteem. It is also important to create an environment where team members can disagree on a professional level without getting personal. Collaboration should take the form of a lively discussion rather than a wild scramble for the biggest ego. Supervisors need to create a "safe space" where colleagues can analyze different ideas completely independently of who originally brought them up. This is not just a matter of philosophical conjecture. Digital disruption is currently transforming entire industries, so your company must also be able to identify and implement the critical moves that unlock a new market or upcoming technological development. Otherwise, your business model could be vulnerable.

Adrienne Gormley is VP Customer Experience and Head of EMEA for collaboration platform and file hosting service provider Dropbox. www.dropbox.com.