Cooperation

When co-workers practice cooperation, their work relationships and environments are more productive and enjoyable. Cooperation gives colleagues the ability to synthesize ideas to achieve superior solutions. UIC employees who demonstrate a positive attitude, take an active role in work assignments, are responsive to feedback, and willing to adjust as needed are respected by others.  These actions create opportunities for partnership and inclusion while planning and making decisions.

As employees progress in tenure and responsibility, the expectation is the employee will exhibit higher-level skill, knowledge, and ability in cooperation. Examples of higher-level behaviors indicated for those who may have years of experience in a role, lead a project team, head up a committee, or demonstrate exceptional skill. Employees who consistently exceed the expectations of their role may become a mentor to others.

Behaviors

Maintains a positive attitude in day-to-day communication

Uses neutral and positive language

Responds constructively to others who alert the group to what is not working

Demonstrates genuine interest in opinions, contributions, and concerns of others

Partners with others to complete work assignments

Balances own interest with other’s interests

Seeks feedback and other’s perspectives to reach agreement

Promotes high visibility of shared contributions

Practices equity, listens, and refrains from passing judgements of other group members and their ideas

Higher Level

Facilitates collaboration across colleges, units, departments, or programs

Willingness to share control of decisions and acknowledges contributions of others

Shares control and empowers others to act on behalf of team and achieve team goals

Defines success in terms of entire groups

Forms teams that include a diverse mix of work styles, perspectives, and experiences

Creates a sense of belonging and strong team morale

Shares team and individual successes and rewards team efforts

Check Training Calendar to Register

Check the learning resources from UIC HR under Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Teamwork & Collaboration

LinkedIn Learning – conduct a search for topics that support your needs; such as ‘emotional intelligence’ ‘collaboration’ ‘teamwork’ ‘difficult conversations’

https://hbr.org/2016/06/the-secrets-of-great-teamwork

https://inside.6q.io/how-to-grow-a-positive-company-culture-with-a-remote-team/

  • Taking Flight, Take Flight Partners, LLC, Pearson Education Inc., Merrick Rosenberg & David Silvert, (2013).
  • The Essential DiSC Training Workbook, DiSC-U.org, Jason Hedge, (2007).
  • Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When the Stakes Are High, McGraw Hill, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, (2012).
  • The Brain-Friendly Workplace, ASTD Press, Erika Garms, (2014).