TABLE OF CONTENTS Collaboration has long been viewed as an effective technique in resolving conflicts on project teams. Collaboration that results from conflict occurs frequently when diverse and conflicting points of view are recognized as important and viable and then are integrated into a unified solution (Blake and Mouton, 1964; Thomas and Kilmann, 1974). This approach prescribes the use of a combination of high assertiveness and high cooperativeness when one team member considers the merits of another person's ideological position. As a prelude to working together in finding optimal and integrated solutions, a collaborative leadership approach would guide the team members to treat each other's ideas as important to the overall project outcome. Consequently, the intellectual energy of the participants in this discussion will be focused on merging perspectives in order to draw from a broader range of expertise and experience. The concept of collaboration also emphasizes learning from others by way of testing all assumptions. Most important of all, if a team member demonstrates a willingness to work with others and to understand other team members' perspectives, he or she will gain greater trust and support, which in turn will improve future ongoing communication among team members.
Research on the nature and texture of work in growing organizations has substantiated the importance of collaboration. Based on the results of this research, a five-part evolution has been suggested (Greiner, 1972). The five stages of growth are creativity, direction, delegation, coordination, and collaboration. The five-part model is...
