HBR On Leadership: Episode Summary

Title: When Over-Collaboration Leads to Indecision
Release Date: April 23, 2025
Host: Sarah Greene Carmichael
Guest: Rebecca Schambaugh, Leadership Coach

Introduction

In the episode titled "When Over-Collaboration Leads to Indecision," Harvard Business Review's podcast "HBR On Leadership" delves into the pitfalls of excessive collaboration within teams and organizations. Host Sarah Greene Carmichael engages in a profound conversation with leadership coach Rebecca Schambaugh, exploring how an overemphasis on collaboration can hinder decision-making and impede progress.

Identifying Over-Collaboration

The discussion begins with identifying the characteristics and behaviors of over-collaborative individuals. Rebecca Schambaugh explains that such individuals often lack self-confidence and constantly seek input from others, striving to please everyone. This behavior leads to difficulties in prioritizing tasks and can result in significant time wastage on low-value activities.

Rebecca Schambaugh [01:51]: "They want to please everyone, right? And it's impossible these days to please everyone."

Rebecca emphasizes that over-collaboration distracts individuals from high-priority projects, causing delays and stalled decision-making processes.

Root Causes of Over-Collaboration

The conversation shifts to exploring the underlying causes of over-collaboration. Rebecca identifies perfectionism, workplace culture, and mixed managerial messages as primary factors. She notes that employees may feel pressured to achieve consensus and avoid conflict, leading to indecision.

Rebecca Schambaugh [03:22]: "They tend to want to please everyone, and they may not be able to prioritize because they’re trying to get consensus with everybody."

She highlights the importance of self-reflection, urging individuals to audit their daily activities to identify and prioritize key responsibilities, thereby reducing time spent on less critical tasks.

The Role of Managers and Organizational Culture

Sarah raises a critical point about distinguishing whether over-collaboration stems from individual tendencies or organizational culture. Rebecca responds by acknowledging the interplay between personal behavior and managerial influence, suggesting that managers can facilitate change by helping team members prioritize effectively.

Rebecca Schambaugh [05:12]: "Good managers help you provide context. They help you prioritize what’s truly important and which tasks truly need your collaboration."

Rebecca advocates for managers to engage in open dialogues with their team members, encouraging them to reassess their priorities and delegate or eliminate low-value tasks.

The Challenge of Saying No

A significant portion of the episode addresses the difficulty of saying no. Rebecca argues that learning to decline additional responsibilities is essential for maintaining focus on high-impact projects. She advises reframing the approach to saying no by understanding the broader context and negotiating workload adjustments.

Rebecca Schambaugh [05:35]: "Sometimes you don't have to say no, but look at alternatives to redesign your day-to-day activities so you can focus on higher-value projects."

Rebecca also discusses the gender dynamics in over-collaboration, noting that women are often more susceptible due to socialization towards pleasing and facilitating, which can inadvertently limit their career advancement.

Gender Dynamics in Collaboration

Sarah brings up research indicating that women often distribute unglamorous tasks more equitably in single-sex groups, contrasting with men who may let a few individuals handle repetitive tasks. Rebecca acknowledges this trend and underscores the importance of balanced leadership styles.

Rebecca Schambaugh [09:47]: "We need balanced leadership, embracing the strength of collaboration that women bring while encouraging men to adopt more inclusive approaches."

Rebecca stresses that fostering diverse leadership styles can enhance problem-solving and decision-making within organizations.

Providing Effective Feedback

The episode also explores strategies for managers to provide constructive, goal-oriented feedback to over-collaborative employees. Rebecca advises focusing on how employees spend their time and aligning their activities with organizational priorities.

Rebecca Schambaugh [11:16]: "Help them see that they're spending too much time on low-priority tasks and guide them to focus on high-impact activities that align with their career growth."

She recommends pairing feedback with actionable steps, such as identifying key projects and empowering employees to make decisive contributions.

Empowering Employees to Reprioritize

Rebecca emphasizes the significance of self-assessment and managerial support in helping employees reallocate their time towards activities that foster career advancement. She encourages creating personalized action plans that align individual efforts with overarching business goals.

Rebecca Schambaugh [14:00]: "Help them recalibrate their activities and create a plan of action to focus on high-value tasks that promote their growth."

Encouraging Diverse Leadership Styles

In response to the need for diverse leadership approaches, Rebecca advises male managers to appreciate and leverage collaborative styles within their teams. She highlights the value of inclusive decision-making and the importance of avoiding groupthink by embracing varied perspectives.

Rebecca Schambaugh [16:40]: "Understanding and leveraging different decision-making styles can lead to better outcomes and more innovative solutions."

Developing Emotional and Social Intelligence

Rebecca underscores the importance of emotional and social intelligence in managing collaboration effectively. She advises that saying yes or no should consider the broader organizational context and the needs of colleagues to maintain harmonious and productive relationships.

Rebecca Schambaugh [19:00]: "Decisions should be made with consideration for the bigger picture and the well-being of your colleagues, ensuring that your choices are thoughtful and inclusive."

Personal Transformation and Leadership Growth

The conversation concludes with Rebecca sharing her personal journey of overcoming over-collaboration and perfectionism. She credits self-belief, managerial support, and intentional practice in decision-making as key elements that enabled her to evolve into an effective leader.

Rebecca Schambaugh [20:35]: "Knowing and believing in yourself is crucial. It’s about shifting your narrative and embracing imperfection to unlock your leadership potential."

Rebecca highlights that personal growth is an ongoing process that involves continuous self-assessment and the willingness to adapt.

Conclusion

The episode "When Over-Collaboration Leads to Indecision" provides invaluable insights into the drawbacks of excessive collaboration and offers practical strategies for individuals and managers to foster more effective decision-making. By prioritizing high-impact tasks, embracing diverse leadership styles, and developing emotional intelligence, organizations can enhance their efficiency and empower their leaders to drive meaningful progress.

Notable Quotes

• Rebecca Schambaugh [01:51]: "They want to please everyone, right? And it's impossible these days to please everyone."
• Rebecca Schambaugh [03:22]: "They tend to want to please everyone, right? And they may not be able to prioritize because they’re trying to get consensus with everybody."
• Rebecca Schambaugh [05:35]: "Sometimes you don't have to say no, but look at alternatives to redesign your day-to-day activities so you can focus on higher-value projects."
• Rebecca Schambaugh [09:47]: "We need balanced leadership, embracing the strength of collaboration that women bring while encouraging men to adopt more inclusive approaches."
• Rebecca Schambaugh [16:40]: "Understanding and leveraging different decision-making styles can lead to better outcomes and more innovative solutions."
• Rebecca Schambaugh [20:35]: "Knowing and believing in yourself is crucial. It’s about shifting your narrative and embracing imperfection to unlock your leadership potential."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a critical reminder that while collaboration is essential for building trust and fostering innovation, it must be balanced with decisive action to prevent stagnation. Leaders at all levels can benefit from Rebecca Schambaugh's expertise in cultivating a strategic mindset that prioritizes impactful contributions over endless consensus-building.

For more insights and discussions on leadership, tune in to future episodes of "HBR On Leadership."