Collaborative Qualities and Attitudes

Liontos (1991) notes that the following qualities and attitudes facilitate collaboration:

• "Know what you are asking for in collaboration; be prepared to give in return.

• Be willing to take risks and make mistakes; see problems as challenges.

• Don't be defensive or try to protect your own turf. Each of you will probably have to give up a little turf in exchange for the benefits of collaboration.

• Respect the procedures and conventions of the other participants.

• Trust people. Mutual trust is a necessity if collaboration is to happen. . . .

• Don't get hung up on agreeing all the time; disagreement is natural. You don't have to agree with each other, but you do have to be motivated, dedicated, and committed to each other, the process, and your common vision or mission.

• Be willing to act on your beliefs. Words only go so far in getting anywhere with collaborative work. . . .

• Enter the process wanting to change the status quo--this is, wanting to change the way you have worked in the past with children and families.

• Be persistent. Stumbling blocks can be overcome." (p. 14)