How Collaboration Strengthens Your Leadership -

Leadership is a critical component to the success of any business, and one of the most effective ways to blaze a trail that others will follow is to collaborate with them. Working with others is a message that executives and managers consistently push to employees because it’s clear that a company is stronger when everyone is working together toward one shared goal.

CEOs and c-suite executives should apply those same standards. We are all stronger leaders when we collaborate with other leaders. There are a few reasons why collaboration fuels strong leadership. The more people you know, the more valuable you are to others

Imagine how you’d be positioned if you developed a business relationship with — just to pick two well-known leaders at random — Amazon founder Jeff Bezos or Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors. Beyond the cool factor, you would know that if you encountered a business setback and needed to turn to your extensive contact list, you would have two particularly formidable allies in your corner.

Connections are the start of relationships, and relationships generate power. You can accomplish more faster and more effectively because you know people. And if those people like and want to help you, all the better.

Relationship building can sound callous when discussed that way, and I don’t mean it to be. Fostering connections may create power and make you a stronger leader, but it is also an opportunity — for both parties — to affect positive change in the lives of others.