It’s no secret…when people pull together for a common cause or goal the results can improve your health. Many years ago I worked in the Correctional System with young offenders. To provide the custodial care and therapeutic treatment to help these young people improve their lives post incarceration, collaboration was key, and it actually had a ripple effect. Not only was the young offender better served, the impacts rippled over to the youth’s family.

Fast forward several years when I worked in the health care system, on a psychiatry unit. The level of collaboration within the health care system, inclusion of alternative health and wellness services, the family, school and other key players in the patient’s life helped ensure the best care possible. When I opened my business I made collaboration one of the foundations upon which my business was built. I collaborate on many projects, one being the Global Influence Summit (GIS). The Global Influence Summit brings together transformational leaders and experts who want to up level their business and turn their impact into action, and, who are interested in collaborating to make a positive difference in the world.

Henry Ford said “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Collaboration makes tough projects easier. It reduces the isolation that often happens for people in business, and, collaboration (when done right) can reduce stress. There are many examples worldwide of projects that have improved the lives and help of individuals and communities through collaboration. Effective collaborations require trust, clear communication, agreement on the project and direction (the common goal), and, commitment. When these qualities exist in a collaboration, the results and impact can be life (and health) changing. Here’s a few helpful tips: 1) Choose your partners/collaborators carefully, b) Map out the details of the collaboration, 3) Build the relationship and 4) Deal with issues as they arise to the project is not de-railed.

Charmaine Hammond, Teresa de Grosbois and Joseph Ranseth have collaborated to host the Global Influence Summit in Florida February 8-10, 2017. www.globalinfluencesummit.com The Global Influence Summit is a perfect example of collaboration, and offers training on how to collaborate to turn impact into action. As you step into 2017 make collaboration a priority and foundation for your business success model, and for making the difference you want to make on the planet.

air date 2/3/17