The ultimate guide to collaboration in the workplace

Workplace collaboration is often seen as just a tool for completing work. But it’s much more than that. In-person collaboration fuels innovation, strengthens team dynamics, and unlocks higher performance across the board. So, if your workplace isn’t as collaborative as you’d like, don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to boost collaboration among employees. We’ll cover:

• What is collaboration in the workplace?
• Why does it matter?
• 5 ways to spark collaboration
• A quiz to learn how collaborative your workplace is‍

What is collaboration in the workplace?

Workplace collaboration is the process of employees working together—in person—to achieve shared goals. It requires clear communication, trust, and shared accountability. Effective collaboration often depends on the physical workplace environment, company culture, and having access to tools and conditions that support teamwork. This includes workplace management, workplace design, technologies, culture-building programs, and offering the right types of space for employees to work together.

Why does collaboration in the workplace matter?

Like we’ve already covered, collaboration in the workplace is a key driver of innovation, engagement, and business success. When folks work together effectively, they’re more likely to share knowledge, solve problems faster, and build stronger relationships across teams.

Here are a few reasons why workplace collaboration matters more than ever:

1. It fuels innovation and creativity. Great ideas rarely happen in isolation. Collaboration allows employees to bounce ideas off each other, challenge assumptions, and co-create solutions. In fact, a Deloitte study found that collaborative teams are more likely to experiment, iterate, and innovate.
2. It improves team performance. When employees feel connected to their colleagues, they’re more motivated to contribute. Collaboration builds the essential ingredients for high-performing teams: trust, accountability, and a sense of shared purpose.
3. It strengthens workplace culture. When employees feel connected and included, they’re more likely to experience higher job satisfaction and engagement. In fact, a culture that emphasizes collaboration helps foster a stronger sense of belonging.‍
4. It accelerates business outcomes. Collaboration doesn’t just feel good. It also delivers results. To our last point, 93% of organizations say a stronger sense of belonging in the workplace drives performance. Why? When teams communicate well, they’re more likely to meet deadlines, reduce project bottlenecks, and improve decision-making.

{{protip-6}}

5 ways to boost collaboration in the workplace

Looking to improve collaboration in the workplace? Here are five tried and true strategies you can use as a workplace leader to create a more connected, high-performing team culture.

1. Design collaborative workplaces that encourage connection

How you lay out your workplace has a direct impact on how often folks will collaborate in it. A thoughtful design fosters spontaneous interaction, creativity, and comfort. The key is designing with purpose and employee experience in mind. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Create distinct zones. Include quiet zones so folks have dedicated spaces to focus, space for informal chats (such as a social lounge), and areas for teamwork (think project rooms or huddle spaces).

• Choose flexible furniture. Hot desks, writable walls, and modular tables allow teams to configure spaces on the fly to best suit their needs.
• Don’t forget wellness. Add natural light, plants, and acoustic comfort to make collaborative spaces enjoyable.

{{protip-1}}

2. Empower teams with the right tools that support collaboration

To make collaboration a priority in your workplace, you need the right tools and technology. Equip your team with modern tools that bridge the gap between in-person and hybrid work, and make spontaneous collaboration easy. Here’s what that looks like:

• Whiteboards. A staple of brainstorming sessions everywhere. Whiteboards are great at getting people’s thoughts out so that everyone can see them and build on them. Include them in meeting rooms and around the office to spark spontaneous collaboration.
• Room booking technology. Using room scheduling software will help folks book the right room for the occasion, without hassle. People can look at how many people each room can sit, as well as the available amenities they might need, too.
• Communication tools. The likes of Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams have transformed collaboration. Communication tools can help folks connect with each other virtually. This helps foster collaboration in the workplace by making it easy to include folks who are working remote or on different hybrid work schedules.
• Hot-desking. When people don’t have permanent desk assignments, they’re likely to move around the office a little more. Hot-desking is a great way to spark collaboration by encouraging folks to sit next to different coworkers. This can spark new conversations and sharing of ideas.  

{{protip-2}}

We wrote an in depth guide on collaboration tools for the workplace, so check it out if you want to dive deeper. On top of providing a list of tools that support onsite collaboration, it also outlines the steps to take to choose the right technologies for your organization.

3. Build a culture of belonging to fuel team collaboration

Remember when we touched on this? Collaboration thrives in a culture where employees feel safe, supported, and valued. When your people feel connected to each other, they’re far more likely to share ideas and work together. 

Easy ways to build belonging:

• Celebrate team wins. Do this publicly and often, and/or encourage team leaders to foster this culture among their teams.
• Encourage leaders to model inclusive, team-first behaviors. Partner with your HR team and functional leaders to decide how to encourage collaboration across teams. Remember, you play a pivotal role in making collaboration flow in the workplace—but you don’t have to do it alone. Work with others to make your efforts more impactful across your organization
• Add “collaboration” to your company’s core values. This way, it’s clear to current and future employees that collaboration is something your business fundamentally believes in and actively tries to foster.

{{protip-3}}

4. Optimize meeting spaces for every collaboration style

Meeting rooms aren’t one-size-fits-all. To support a variety of collaboration styles—focused, creative, formal, or spontaneous—you need diverse, well-equipped spaces.

1. Focused collaborative work areas. These are mostly closed-off conference rooms and meeting spaces. It includes any area where teams can have focused sessions, take Zoom calls with remote colleagues, or have a safe space to discuss confidential subjects.  
2. Open collaborative work areas. Open collaborative areas are modular in nature. Imagine an area with chairs, couches, and bean bags that you can move around. Add in a few whiteboards or monitors on wheels. It’s a space where spontaneous creativity is encouraged. Groups of two or more can gather here for brainstorming sessions, problem-solving, and other modes of in-person collaboration.

Diversifying your meeting rooms can only be a positive for your workplace. Your employees will love having the option to choose the space that works best for them.

{{protip-4}}

Want to learn more about meeting spaces? Check out our blog post on workspaces that support employee productivity and happiness. In it, you’ll find five types of space you can add to your workplace and the key benefits of each.

5. Promote social connections that strengthen workplace collaboration

Collaboration is easier when people genuinely enjoy each other’s company. In fact, many employees say that socializing with work friends is the #1 reason they choose to come onsite. People get excited to go to the workplace when they think of the fun, impromptu social interactions that they could have with colleagues. 

Make space for connection:

• Host regular team lunches, happy hours, or trivia nights.
• Celebrate birthdays, wins, and life milestones.
• Encourage offsite bonding, such as outdoor meetups or volunteer days.

{{protip-5}}

How collaborative is your workplace?

Before we wrap, it’s important to know how collaborative your workplace is. This will help you see where you can and should improve. We put together a short quiz to help you easily discover where your workplace is today. At the end, we’ll give you tips and tricks for making it more collaborative. 

Take the quiz here. 

Collaboration is a key part of a successful workplace. It encourages your employees to work together and drives quality results over the line. And when your employees enjoy collaborating with coworkers, it can only have a more positive impact on your organization as a whole.