This book is a sound statement on collaboration and the need for it. Authored by Twyla Tharp, an experienced dancer and choreographer, it explains the forms of working together and relates the human factor in dancing and business. The author says civilisation could not have been achieved without collaboration and “this is how most of our ancestors used to work and live “before machines came along and fragmented society.” Essentially, collaboration is also “recognition that there’s more to life than we can master alone,” and “depends on very precise communication.” In the past, individual excellence was encouraged, but not any more. There are no more saviours of the society and if there are, they need assistance at some point. Moreover, most recent enterprise and social exploits have led to the conclusion that “the wisdom of a smart group is greater than the brainpower of its smartest member.” The group comes before the individual. The most demanding task involves setting up collaboration. To effectively manage collaboration, “a clearly stated and consciously shared purpose is the foundation.” Before teaming up, all members should confirm their commitment to the common cause. Collaboration is a habit. It is naturally frowned upon, but, gradually becomes “effective when partners set a schedule and establish a routine.” Partnerships also advance from the interchange between people. It extends from the diversity of the personalities involved, and the “difference between partners means that one plus one will always equal more than two.” In the same way she points out the importance of assistants who are “as valuable as you allow them to be.” The author warns against the urge to be the ever-reliable partner. “Getting involved with your collaborator’s problems almost always distracts you from your own. That can be tempting. But it usually leads to disaster,” she writes. The sure resort in this case is that “no one likes to let colleagues down. Crisis focuses energy. When it really matters, people rise to the occasion.” To those who had retracted from relationships, she says: “If you are returning to an old collaboration, give yourself the option of beginning at the beginning.” Each attempt to reconcile collaborations should be treated as a unique development for partnerships are dynamic. Tharp’s book is suggestive of the rare wisdom of appreciating human nature, a trait indispensable in collaborations. Her ability to suspend pretence through her terse, succinct writing is convincing. Of importance is her perspective on people, insight into relationships, and magical statements, for instance pointing out candidly, in a supposedly serious book, that “a good collaborator is easier to find than a good friend.” Nevertheless her one-sided presumptuous view rankles
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 05:53:09 +0000
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