The evolution of work patterns over the past 30 years has dramatically changed the way companies operate. The various crises, whether financial (2009) or health (2020), as well as technological advances, have enabled employees to work together in different, often more efficient ways, whether they are physically together or remotely.
However, for this collaboration to be successful and to last over time, it is crucial to have a management that is up to the challenge and knows how to take the right options to lead the teams and implement the right strategies and practices.

 

Visionary

One of the key aspects for a manager in a collaborative work environment is to have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish. He or she must be able to define the goals and strategies for achieving those goals, and communicate them effectively and explicitly to the rest of the organization. He must embody this vision by being inspiring and inspiring to enable all members of his organization to understand their role and importance in achieving the company’s goals.

Leader

In addition to having a vision, an effective manager must be a leader who can direct employees effectively. He must be able to motivate and inspire them, bringing them together around a common goal. The ideal manager will be enlightened, open-minded to accept differences and turn differences into opportunities. He will need to be able to bring people together and lead by example.

Communicating

An effective leader is also a skilled communicator, who can give clear instructions, listen to employee feedback and concerns, and resolve conflicts in a professional manner. He will know how to be fair in these choices which will not always be easy to make.

Coach

The ideal manager in a collaborative work environment will also have to be a coach. Not a knowing expert who has the knowledge when others do not, but rather one who is able to train and develop employees, giving them constructive feedback, encouraging them to improve and reach their full potential. This allows everyone to feel valued and to contribute to the continuous improvement of the company.

Flexible

In addition, the ideal manager must be flexible and able to adapt to changes and the needs of others. This adaptability is reflected in the ability to make quick decisions to adapt to unforeseen situations. This ability to make decisions is done in an often uncertain, complex and volatile context. The manager will then advocate the right to make mistakes, but will ban the fact of not trying. He will be able to decide based on facts and keeping in mind the danger of cognitive biases. This ensures that the teams themselves will be able to adapt to changes in the organization and continue to contribute to its success.

Results oriented

It is also essential that the manager is results-oriented. The results are the tangible, factual, indisputable elements of the achievement of the set objectives. To do this, it must put in place processes to measure the effectiveness of the collaboration, identify areas for improvement, and implement actions to achieve the set goals. This ensures that the collaborative efforts and the way of working are in the best interests of the organization and will continue to improve.

Sense of fairness

The manager is fair and treats all employees in a just and impartial manner. The special attention that must be paid to the major balances that keep the organization standing is more than necessary. The ideal manager knows how to detect and manage conflicts in a professional manner, encouraging the participation of the group but also taking and assuming responsibility in the name of equity.

Open-minded

It is important that the manager is open-minded and able to consider the ideas and perspectives of others. They must be able to encourage employees to bring new ideas and take risks to improve collaboration.

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In summary, the profile of the ideal manager to develop collaborative work must be that of a visionary, effective leader, communicator, coach, flexible, results-oriented, fair and open-minded.

All these skills and qualities are not innate and can be developed. In this ever-changing world, the role of the manager is more essential than ever to maintain a balance that will allow everyone to flourish and find their place.