8 Proven Collaboration Methods to Transform Team Performance

The most successful leaders I know have mastered collaboration methods that turn ordinary teams into high-performing powerhouses.

Here’s what separates the winners from the rest: they don’t just talk about collaboration—they systematically implement proven techniques that deliver results.

Whether you’re leading a sales team, managing suppliers, or working with customers, the right approach can transform your entire business dynamic.

Why Collaboration Methods Drive Real Results

Research consistently shows that collaborative teams are 5x more likely to achieve high performance. But why does collaboration work so well?

Simple: when people work together effectively, they combine their strengths and cover each other’s blind spots. One person’s weakness becomes irrelevant when another person’s strength fills the gap.

Yet most leaders wing it when it comes to building collaboration.

• They send emails instead of meeting face-to-face.
• They make decisions in isolation.
• They set individual goals that pit team members against each other.

Sound familiar? Here’s how to change that.

Face-to-Face Collaboration Methods That Build Trust

Photo by Edi Kurniawan on Unsplash

1. Hold joint meetings with key stakeholders. Get everyone in the same room—or on the same video call. When people can see each other’s reactions and body language, trust develops more quickly.

2. Ensure meetings are face-to-face where possible. This means in-person when geography allows, or virtual meetings using Zoom, Teams, or similar platforms. Skip the phone calls and avoid email for important discussions.

Visual and Interactive Collaboration Techniques

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3. Visually demonstrate the value of collaboration. Use examples, surveys, and models to show—not just tell—why working together matters. Numbers on a whiteboard beat theoretical discussions every time.

4. Hold group brainstorming activities. Problem-solving sessions and strategy development are most productive when multiple minds tackle the challenge. Two heads are better than one, but eight heads can be unstoppable!

Strategic Collaboration Methods

5. Use strategy retreats to remove daily disruptions. Take your team off-site or block out uninterrupted time. When people aren’t checking emails or answering phones, they can focus on what truly matters.

6. Develop collective decision-making models. Stop making decisions alone and hoping others will buy in. Implement clear procedures that ensure teams can contribute to choices that shape their daily work.

Team-Centered Collaborative Approaches

7. Set goals and objectives as a team versus individually. Individual goals create competition. Team goals create collaboration. Which do you think drives better results?

8. Be collaborative in developing and implementing processes. When people help create the system, they’re more likely to follow it. Involve your team in designing workflows, sales processes, and operational procedures.

Try This: Your 30-Day Collaboration Methods Challenge

Pick three methods from this list and implement them over the next 30 days:

• Schedule one face-to-face collaborative meeting with a key stakeholder this week
• Replace your next solo decision with a team discussion
• Plan a brainstorming session for your biggest current challenge

Track what happens to team engagement and results.

The Long Game of Collaboration

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Building collaboration isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing process that compounds over time. The teams that consistently apply these collaboration methods see exponential improvements in both individual and business performance.

Can you afford not to collaborate?

© Shawn Casemore 2025. All Rights Reserved.