Houghton College BUSINESS 212A Fostering Collaboration - Running head: FOSTERING COLLABORATION 1 MBA Reflection Essay: Fostering Collaboration Nicholas Melchiore Houghton College Team

FOSTERING COLLABORATION 2
choir. Good leaders are able to foster collaboration by generating a strong sense of shared
creation and shared responsibility. Kouzes and Posner explain that, “skillful leaders are able to
create a climate of trust and facilitate relationships.” People cannot establish relationships
without a certain level of trust. The book explains that a leader can dictate the environment by
being the first to trust. When a person with authority extends their trust first, the employees are
more likely to reciprocate that behavior within the company. One enemy to fostering
collaboration that a leader must face is the potential lack of trust within an organization. Trust
should be something you give, rather than something you make others earn. I have definitely
struggled with this concept, especially in the constant feedback society we live in. Sometimes it
is easier to never extend your trust, that way you cannot be disappointed. I believe as I get older I
will learn to establish and build meaningful relationships and