Collaborative Working Works

Last weekend I met up with my friend and colleague, Jane Gray. Jane is an optometrist, clinical lead, coach, leadership development facilitator and most importantly she is someone who makes collaborative working work!

We had dinner at the beautiful Mallow Restaurant in Borough Market in London.  As well as catching up on everything we had been doing since Covid we also reflected on the many projects we have collaborated on together over the past 12 years. It’s quite a list!

????10+ years co-delivering the MSc leadership programme for WOPEC and LOCSU – Local Optical Committee Support Unit.

This included: delivering virtual and face-to-face sessions, facilitating action learning sets, supporting students online through the discussion board and their weekly blog tasks, assessment and feedback to students.

????We co-designed and tested a 3D virtual eye clinic complete with patient and clinician avatars, clinical equipment, cases.  We conducted research with undergraduate and postgraduate students using the space.

????6+ years leading and co-delivering Peer review for College of Optometrists and many others across the UK and Ireland.

????ILM level 5 coaching and mentoring qualifications assessment

????Leadership of a coaching and mentoring course commissioned by RNIB for specialists who support people with sight loss.

I’ve been using my coffee breaks to reflect on what it is that makes collaborative working work.  I think great team work requires the following attributes:

  1. you have complete trust in the other person
  2. you are committed to enabling each other to be the best you can be
  3. you are honest and thoughtful when providing feedback
  4. you are always there for each other when times are tough (whether personally or professionally)
  5. you enjoy working together and have fun

I know 2024 is going to bring more opportunities to collaborate.

Does collaborative working work for you?  What are your top tips for effective collaborative working?  Get in touch to let us know!