Download The Kuwait Integrated Digital Field Bulletin Nº14 - KwIDF

KwIDF: Collaborative Intelligence in ActionPromoted in the past, working systemsbased on competition are no longerpractical. In KOC, this would be theequivalent to the silo way of working,which is working in isolation. Thesesystems are based on the assumptionthat people are completely autonomousor independent, and do not include theinter-relations of the members, whichbring numerous social exchanges. Mostinteresting, such social exchanges bringwith them a kind of learning that cannottake place in any other way. This is notan academic learning, but anexperiential one, where the KwIDFChampions that already populate theCollaboration Centers learn fromworking together across a broad rangeof disciplines. Since KOC is creating morecomplex environments and work teamslike KwIDF, it is crucial to shift to a moreintegrative environment, in whichcollaboration among individuals is thenew way of working.What can I do about it?As can be assumed, some individuals are more talented or more willing to promotecollaboration than others, and it is this ability that is defined as CollaborativeIntelligence. These persons find the way to create, manage and contribute tosystems of people; and it is these skills that are promoted within KOC and morespecifically KwIDF for the benefit of the company. Fortunately, these abilities canbe achieved through practice, by focusing on a shift in assumptions, perceptions,communication, flexibility, and participation. Therefore:Embrace the idea of interrelatedness, and that the collective’s knowledge isaccessible by all members of the team. Interrelatedness is not the same asteam work. This concept means that all components in the project areconnected and depend from each other. Note that there are teams whereinterrelatedness does not exist, which hindrances teamwork.Once you have embraced interrelatedness, you can change your perceptionsof different topics, such as problem solving. If all components of the problemare interrelated, is easier to solve it. Look for solutions accordingly.Use best practices of active listening for better communication: paraphrasewhat you understand, listen intently, defer judgment, etc.Be flexible and participate in your team as much as the situation allows it.Collaboration can be defined as theprocess of working together in a virtualor physical space to create value.Communication, empathy andconsideration are critical for thedevelopment of a collaborative workenvironment through leadershipsupport, clear instructions across teams,understanding the inter-relations oftechnology, processes and people withinthe project, and the awareness of theproject members. The shift from anindividual to a collaborativeenvironment requires the consciouseffort to choose the collaborative values,such as trust, openness, supportingshared purposes, and fostering creativityand innovation –among others-, overthe competition or individual ones, andthe belief that it is possible to shift fromone to the other.EditorHana SztarkmanPhotographs:Paul AndradeDesigned byLa Casita Comunicaciónwww.lacasita-comunicacion.comPublisherKwIDF ProjectR&T Grouphttp://kwidf.kockw.comCopyright Kuwait Oil CompanyAll rights reservedNo part of KwIDForum may be reproduced,stored in retrieval systems, or transmitedin any other form, or by any other means,electronic, mechanical, photographic,recording or otherwise without the priorwritten permission of the publisher.Produced in close collaboration with KOC Public Relations & Information GroupPAGE 12Kuwait Oil Company