The power of collaboration: Dr. Shelle VanEtten de Sánchez at TEDxABQWomen

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker explores the power of collaboration using the metaphor of holding ideas. They highlight five essential lessons: letting go of ego, the importance of practice, sharing responsibilities, embracing uncertainty, and understanding true collaboration. By illustrating how collaborative efforts can lead to greater achievements than individual endeavors, the speaker invites the audience to release their tightly held ideas and engage others in the creative process. This approach fosters innovation and underscores the significance of collective effort in accomplishing meaningful projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 Collaboration allows for greater achievements than working alone.
• 🤝 Letting go of control is essential for effective collaboration.
• 🌍 Daily examples of collaboration include crowdsourcing and flash mobs.
• 📜 Poetry can be transformed into a collaborative art form.
• ✂️ Cutting and reassembling each other's work fosters creativity and teamwork.
• 💪 Ego can hinder collaboration; it's vital to allow others to edit your ideas.
• 🔄 Practice is necessary to improve collaborative skills.
• 💡 Sharing resources and credit is fundamental to true collaboration.
• 🚀 Releasing ideas to a group can lead to innovative outcomes.
• 🤔 Collaboration requires everyone to contribute and work towards a shared goal.

Q & A

What metaphor does the speaker use to illustrate the difference between individual and collaborative efforts?

The speaker uses the metaphor of holding a small stone in one hand to represent individual efforts, while holding larger ideas requires opening arms and inviting others to help.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Lego my ego' in the context of collaboration?

'Lego my ego' emphasizes the need to set aside personal pride and allow others to edit and contribute to one's ideas in a collaborative environment.

How does the speaker describe the process of collaboration in poetry?

The speaker describes a collaborative poetry project where poets write on the same topic, share their work, cut and edit each other’s poems, and then perform the newly created piece together.

What does the speaker mean by 'holding tight is very safe and very small'?

This phrase suggests that while keeping ideas tightly held may feel secure, it limits the potential for growth and innovation that comes from sharing and collaborating.

Why does the speaker believe that collaboration is essential in modern society?

The speaker believes collaboration is essential because it enables the achievement of significant goals that individuals alone cannot accomplish, as evidenced by examples like crowdsourcing and crowdfunding.

What are the five essential lessons of collaboration mentioned by the speaker?

The five lessons are: 1) Lego my ego, 2) Practice makes perfect, 3) Share and share alike, 4) Let go, and 5) Teamwork does not equal collaboration.

How does the speaker differentiate between teamwork and collaboration?

The speaker differentiates by stating that teamwork may involve delegation and organizing, while collaboration requires equal participation and contribution from all members.

What personal experience does the speaker share regarding their journey to understanding collaboration?

The speaker shares that their journey to collaboration stemmed from facing challenges due to limited resources and realizing the importance of finding diverse partners to achieve meaningful projects.

How does the speaker illustrate the impact of collaboration on creative expression?

The speaker illustrates that collaboration can transform individual poetic expressions into a richer, collective art form, showcasing how diverse perspectives enhance creativity.

What final message does the speaker convey about the potential of collective achievement?

The speaker conveys that individual accomplishments may fit in the palm of one’s hand, but collaborative efforts can lead to significantly greater outcomes, urging listeners to embrace teamwork.