Max S. Dunn

Book - Radical Collaboration

Posted by: Max Dunn on June 20, 2008 08:02:51

Radical Collaboration: Five Essential Skills to Overcome Defensiveness and Build Successful Relationships
by James W. Tamm

I am becoming more-and-more interested in organizational behavior. While some businesses are able to survive with dysfunctional teams and collaboration processes, to thrive and provide a truly fulfilling work environment, it is necessary to put a lot of effort into identifying and resolving personal and inter-personal issues. That is why when my surfing buddy, Janelle Tamm, mentioned that her dad James works in this area, I was very interested to learn more.

James Tamm's book "Radical Collaboration" packs in so much information and so many good ideas, that it is hard to summarize the main points I learned from it. So instead, I will just list the chapters so you can get a feel for what is covered:

1. Collaborative Intention: staying in the Green Zone and avoiding defensiveness
2. Truthfulness: including listening
3. Self-accountability
4. Self-awareness and awareness of others
5. Problem solving and negotiating

Probably the most interesting aspect of this book for me was that while I have studied and practiced negotiating techniques that focus on win-win outcomes, Radical Collaboration goes beyond that to teach techniques that not only make sure both sides get what they want, but also to do it in a way that builds up long term trust and understanding.