The dream scenario: sustainable collaboration and stress-free staff

Have you ever sat at work and, in your head, played out the scene:

“I’m done. I quit.”

It’s okay.

Maybe you’ve also felt like you’re constantly chasing impossible deadlines, never quite catching up.

That’s why today, we’re talking about something completely different — a much more pleasant feeling.

The one that’s a bit like running downhill.

Let’s talk about when everything just flows, when stress doesn’t exist, and when you’re fully in control.

In this post, we’ll explore what sustainable collaboration is, how to achieve it, and what your organization needs to make it happen.

What is sustainable collaboration?

The word sustainable can mean:

• a solid structure, or
• something that can be maintained or practiced over a long period without causing harm — for example, a way of working or an environment.

The word collaboration means:

• that two or more people or organizations work together toward a shared goal or carry out a project jointly.

So, sustainable collaboration in this context can be boiled down to a frictionless way of working that lasts.

It’s a kind of collaboration that values the individual and reduces the risk of stress and burnout.

The benefits of sustainable collaboration

The benefits are many, and the downsides? Hardly any.

Are there even any? Thinking hard… Nope, can’t see any.

That said, it’s not easy to achieve.

If you do it wrong — if you don’t involve your employees — you risk creating a giant with feet of clay.

But enough about clay. Let’s move on to the good stuff.

By implementing a sustainable way of collaborating, you will:

• Lower stress levels among employees
• Dramatically reduce the risk of burnout
• Increase overall productivity and improve internal communication
• Create a structured digital workspace where notifications don’t chase your staff around

I have the privilege of working with our very own sustainable productivity guru, Bullen — a bit of an expert when it comes to project structure, asynchronous and synchronous communication, and documentation.

No Bullen in your life? My condolences.

Then it’s time for you to become the expert — so you can lead the way toward better communication.

(And yes, that praise will absolutely be mentioned at Bullen’s next salary review.)

Why you should avoid unsustainable collaboration

The opposite of sustainable collaboration, of course, is unsustainable collaboration — something you definitely want to stay away from, even though it’s the reality for many.

In fact, as many as 79% of employees experience stress and anxiety caused by it.

The remaining 21%, who have found a sustainable way of working, are those who feel respected, have fun, and are the most engaged at work.

So… what do you say? Should we avoid burning people out?

Yes. Let’s do that.

Companies with engaged employees also see 23% higher profit margins compared to those with stressed and disengaged staff.

My simple tips for more sustainable collaboration

• Use the right digital tools. Otherwise, don’t bother. It’s 2022, and internal emails just don’t cut it anymore. Stop doing that.
• Learn how to communicate across generations. Your team likely includes several age groups, each with different communication preferences. Talk about how you work together across generations and how to improve your internal communication.
• Be clear and set the right expectations. Don’t dance around problems. Adopt open, direct communication and define shared goals — along with how you’ll reach them together. The right way of working is everything.
• Avoid unnecessary internal meetings. Meetings have their place, sure — but honestly, if we got 100 kronor for every pointless one we’ve sat through, we’d all be millionaires by now. So stop wasting time. When meetings are necessary, make sure they have a clear purpose and agenda.
• Don’t take everything so seriously. Nothing catastrophic will happen if your PowerPoint has the wrong font or if you need to push a deadline because something unexpected came up.

Get started before it’s too late

So, what do you think? Are you ready to create a sustainable workplace with a healthy approach to communication?

Check out our other blog posts in this series — or reach out to us, and we’ll help you get started!

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