HBR On Leadership
When Over-Collaboration Leads to Indecision
Apr 23, 2025
Rebecca Shambaugh, a leadership coach and author, tackles the pitfalls of over-collaboration in this engaging discussion. She reveals how too much consensus can lead to indecision rather than productivity. Shambaugh highlights unique challenges women face in professional settings and offers strategies for empowering teams. The conversation dives into the importance of saying no to non-value tasks, emotional intelligence, and overcoming perfectionism in leadership. Listeners will appreciate tips on balancing teamwork with decisive action.
23:16
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Quick takeaways
- Excessive collaboration can lead to indecision and wasted time on low-priority tasks, negatively impacting team effectiveness and progress.
- Managers play a crucial role in guiding employees to balance collaboration with decisiveness by providing clear prioritization and empowering feedback.
Deep dives
The Impact of Over-Collaboration on Decision-Making
Excessive collaboration can hinder decision-making and impede progress within teams. Individuals who frequently seek input from others often struggle with self-confidence, leading them to over-consult rather than decisively act. This tendency to strive for consensus can result in wasted time on low-priority tasks, diverting attention away from high-value projects. Self-reflection and prioritization assessments are necessary for individuals to recognize the extent of their over-collaboration and take steps to address it.
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