We all know that good communication helps teams run smoothly – but if you’re aiming for real success, communication alone isn’t enough. You need true collaboration. And that means going beyond sending updates, ticking off task lists and facilitating daily meetings…
At Body Talk, we work with teams every day who are trying to unlock better results. What we’ve seen again and again is that the winning teams don’t just communicate well. They know how to collaborate effectively too. So, what’s the difference between communication and collaboration and how do you build both of these elements into your team?
Let’s explore how better group communication and meaningful collaboration can change the game for your team.
Communication and Collaboration: What’s the Difference?
We often hear these two words – communication and collaboration – used as if they’re interchangeable. But they’re not the same thing.
Communication is about exchanging information. It’s how we update each other, give instructions, or ask for help. Group communication is the heartbeat of team life – meetings, emails, chats, Teams calls. When it’s clear and efficient, everyone knows what’s going on.
But collaboration goes a step further. Collaboration is all about working together towards a shared result or goal, not just alongside each other. It happens when people contribute ideas, make decisions as a group and take shared responsibility for outcomes. Collaboration is not only a result of good communication – but it also needs trust, empathy and a shared sense of purpose.
Why Group Communication Isn’t Enough on Its Own
Picture a team which has great group communication. They hold regular meetings, send clear emails, update channels and everyone seems to know what they are doing. On the face of it, it’s a good start – but it doesn’t necessarily mean that that team is collaborating well, or at all.
If people aren’t speaking up, bouncing ideas around or challenging each other constructively, you’re not really collaborating. You’re just coordinating.
Real communication and collaboration means going further to get the best from each person and turning that team into something greater than the sum of its parts.
Why Collaboration Matters
When your team achieves both communication and collaboration, you’ll feel the shift. People become more engaged, decisions are better informed, and results come faster. You’ll waste less time on miscommunication and more time doing your best work – together.
What Makes Collaboration Work?
To create a team that thrives on both good group communication and effective collaboration, you need a few key ingredients:
1. Trust
Trust is essential for teams to work collaboratively. Without trust, people won’t speak up or take risks. And without risk, there’s no innovation. Teams need to know they’re safe to be honest, ask questions, and offer ideas – especially the unusual ones.
2. Empathy
Understanding where your teammates are coming from changes everything and empathy helps us do this. It’s certainly not about agreeing with people all of the time, but about seeing things from their point of view. Having empathy helps to build connection and soften conflict. In a collaborative team, empathy fuels open conversations and better decisions.
3. Healthy Conflict
Not all conflict is bad! In fact, a bit of healthy tension means people care. Strong teams are made up of diverse experiences and opinions and, when handled well, disagreements can lead to much stronger solutions. Learning to disagree respectfully and productively is an important part of building collaborative teams.
4. Clarity on Roles and Goals
Sometimes it’s difficult to achieve real collaboration because nobody is really sure what the main goal is and who should be doing what to achieve it. Good collaboration needs clear expectations. People should know who’s doing what, when they need to do it by and, crucially, why it matters. Clear goals help align efforts and avoid duplication or confusion.
How to Strengthen Both Communication and Collaboration
If you want to move your team towards working more collaboratively, there are a few simple strategies to bring into your daily routines:
- Start with stronger group communication
Could your existing group communication be better? Make sure you are having regular check-ins with clear agendas. Active listening is essential here: ensure that you give people the space to speak and that everyone has a voice in meetings – not just the loudest ones. - Create space for shared problem-solving
Use tools that allow teams to brainstorm and build ideas together – virtual whiteboards, collaborative docs or structured feedback sessions. If you’re in person, the old-fashioned ‘Post It note on the wall’ approach still works well. - Build a culture of openness
Having an open culture helps to build trust and psychological safety in the workplace. Celebrate small wins, invite feedback and don’t be afraid of demonstrating vulnerability when necessary – it’s a great way to build trust quickly. The more open your culture, the more likely people are to engage fully and collaborate meaningfully. - Train for collaboration
Just like communication skills, collaboration can be taught and practised. Invest in workshops or coaching that focuses on trust-building, emotional intelligence and decision-making as a group.
Here at Body Talk, we help teams develop stronger group communication and build the skills they need to collaborate at a higher level.
Ready to strengthen your team’s communication and collaboration skills? Get in touch with our team today.
Further reading
- How a lack of confidence affects employee engagement
- Why your feedback may be crushing effort – and how to fix it
- How to keep your cool during arguments