Is Your Team ACTUALLY Collaborating or Just Winging it? 😏 {The Virtual PM Newsletter}


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Hey Reader,

According to this article by Salesforce, 86% of employees and executives cite lack of collaboration or ineffective communication as a reason for workplace failures.

That's HUGE. 🤯 And it's one of the reasons why I wanted to dive deep into it today.

A while back, I was leading a project that seemed to have all the right ingredients: a talented team, solid objectives, and regular check-ins.

But something wasn’t clicking.

Despite our best intentions, everyone seemed to be on their own page—collaboration felt like a concept, not a reality.

Turns out, we weren’t really set up for success. Very few wanted to work together.

I realized then that simply telling a team to “collaborate” isn’t enough.

True collaboration needs structure, clarity, and, most importantly, trust.

In my LinkedIn article, I break down the biggest misconceptions about collaboration and what teams actually need to work together effectively.

Spoiler alert: It’s not about forcing consensus or endless meetings. 😉

I created an infographic below to illustrate the secrets behind successful collaboration.

Join the second installment of my Lunch & Learn: Lead Smarter Series 📣

In case you missed it, for the next 4 weeks, I'm hosting a LIVE leadership training session on Wednesdays at 12 PM CST.

These training sessions are 100% FREE. If you lead an organization as a CEO, or manager, it may be a good idea to encourage your team members to join.


Here's the training schedule:


🗓️ October 30, 2024 (Wed @ 12 PM CST) 3 Critical Mistakes Leaders Make When Resisting Change

🗓️ November 06, 2024 (Wed @ 12 PM CST) 3 Tactics for Effective Delegation

🗓️ November 13, 2024 (Wed @ 12 PM CST) Stay Ahead or Get Left Behind: 4 Leadership Growth Strategies

🗓️ November 20, 2024 (Wed @ 12 PM CST) 3 Self-Awareness Habits Every Leader Must Master

CLICK HERE TO RSVP - IT'S FREE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR WORKBOOK

FEW Slots Left! ⏰

October’s almost over, and I still have a few spots open for DISC assessments—but they’re filling up fast!

A DISC assessment is your shortcut to understanding your unique leadership and communication style.

By breaking down your behaviors into Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness, taking this assessment will reveal your strengths and areas for growth.

So if you're looking to be the kind of leader who inspires, drives action, and truly makes an impact...

Book a DISC assessment with me—now only at $37 for the month of October (normally $197).



Virtually Yours,

Donna Franklin West, MHA, PMP, CSM

CEO, The Virtual PM

☎️901-489-9850

📧connect@thevirtualpm.org

Click here to see our Business Portfolio



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