How collaboration affects productivity

However, today many researchers and even the press talk about the negative consequences of collaboration. It turns out that it does not at all solve problems such as misunderstandings between colleagues or the risk of nervous exhaustion. Even technologies designed specifically to facilitate employee interactions are now undergoing criticism. Many users believe that they only distract from the workflow even more.

Collaboration and creativity

Collaboration limits our creativity, The Dynamics of Collaborative Design: Insights From Complex Systems and Negotiation Research, according to a study by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. … When several professionals are discussing a project together, the level of creativity in the group usually decreases.

It turns out that the system of cooperation has reached a dead end?

Responsiveness

In response to the ever-increasing demands of teamwork and declining collaboration, the phenomenon of comprehensivism has emerged. It implies that a person is not obliged to build a career in only one area and specialize in only one thing, which is much more important to see the whole picture.

Each person gradually accumulates the skills that he needs to achieve his goals on his own. Supporters of a comprehensive approach believe that it is much more productive to work and develop at their own pace, without constant arguments with colleagues and meetings.

However, this approach does not mean that everyone should work completely alone and do only on their own. This is simply not possible. And you can't hire a few people who understand different areas, and fire all the rest of the staff. It will not be useful, because it takes entire teams to cope with large projects.

Despite all the shortcomings of teamwork, we are unlikely to abandon it anytime soon. And it’s not that bad. Even the most ardent followers of the comprehensive approach do not advocate a complete rejection of teamwork, they only suggest finding a middle ground.