Mastering Collaboration in Online Communities: Lessons from Global Teams

Online communities and companies face complex tasks that necessitate assembling large, diverse teams of specialists. These teams, often formed rapidly to address urgent needs, work virtually, spanning different locations and time zones. This setup, essential for tackling sophisticated projects, paradoxically also presents significant challenges to effective collaboration.

The Paradox of Modern Teams

Take the case of the BBC covering global events or Marriott developing new IT systems; these tasks require assembling large teams with varied expertise. However, research shows that the very characteristics that make these teams suitable for complex tasks — their size, diversity, virtual nature, and high specialization — also hinder their ability to collaborate effectively. The bigger and more diverse the team, the more challenging it becomes for its members to share knowledge, adapt to workload changes, and align their goals.

Navigating the Challenges of Collaboration in Online Settings

Online communities, much like global corporations, face similar challenges. They often consist of diverse members, operate virtually, and rely on specialized knowledge. The key question is: How can such teams enhance their collaborative abilities despite their inherent complexities?

Strategies for Enhanced Collaboration

Research involving 55 large teams identified eight practices, categorized into four areas, that help overcome collaboration challenges: executive support, focused HR practices, strong team leadership, and effective team structure.

• Executive Support: Successful teams reflect a collaborative culture championed by top executives. This includes investing in relationship-building, modeling collaborative behavior, and nurturing a "gift culture" where interactions are valued and generously offered.
• Focused HR Practices: Contrary to expectations, traditional HR practices like reward systems have limited impact. Instead, training in collaborative skills and supporting informal community building are more effective. This involves nurturing skills like conflict resolution, networking, and emotional intelligence.
• Strong Team Leadership: Leaders who can balance task- and relationship-oriented management styles are crucial. They should be able to clarify goals and roles at the outset and later focus on fostering good relationships within the team.
• Effective Team Structure: Utilizing heritage relationships (preexisting trust among team members) and ensuring role clarity while maintaining task ambiguity fosters better collaboration. Teams should have clearly defined individual roles but a flexible approach towards achieving their goals.

Applying These Lessons to Online Communities

Online communities can adopt these strategies to enhance collaboration:

• Cultivating a Collaborative Culture: Community leaders should demonstrate and encourage collaborative behaviors. This might involve regular virtual meetups, open discussions, and a culture of mutual support and appreciation.
• Skill Development: Online platforms can offer resources and training in areas that facilitate better collaboration, such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and digital etiquette.
• Leadership Styles: Community managers should be trained to understand when to focus on task-oriented leadership and when to shift to relationship-building activities.
• Community Structure: Encouraging the formation of smaller sub-groups or teams based on existing relationships can foster trust and collaboration. Additionally, defining clear roles for members while keeping the approach to community goals flexible can enhance participation.

In conclusion, the key to successful collaboration in online communities lies in understanding and navigating the complexities of modern teamwork. By focusing on executive support, HR practices, leadership, and team structure, online communities can turn their inherent challenges into strengths, fostering a productive and innovative environment.