2020: Note 25 - The Collaborator

My work involves a lot of cross-functional and cross-departmental communication. At times, this can be a challenge because we may have different agendas or disagree on the best way to accomplish something.

There is one person I work with who always comes to the conversation with an open mind and an expectation that we will find a mutually agreeable solution. This woman looks at all sides of a situation and seeks to understand various points of view. She also keeps the end goal in mind and helps others focus on that two.

Some people are good at this some of the time...and a few aren't good at it at all. But this woman is good at it all of the time. She is a model of collaboration and open communication. She creates an atmosphere of trust, where it is safe to share your point of view and know that it will be respected and fully considered.

I love working with her and am fortunate to have her as a long-standing colleague.