For the record, Kurt and I live and dream our five tips for collaborating on passion projects and we totally get results, too!
Kurt Heinrich and I have known each other for over a decade and we have worked together on dozens of projects ranging from road trips to fundraising campaigns to this website. In order to achieve success on a project the people involved must be able to collaborate effectively, which, in my humble opinion, I think that Kurt and I do quite well. Here are our five tips for collaborating on passion projects.
Recently, Kurt and I worked together on a Passion Project, which is, by our definition, something that you do for fun first and foremost. We created an entry for the Canadian Research Institute for Counselling’s (CERIC) National Challenge to promote career development. We’re excited about how our project, Career Swap, has evolved and hope that you are, too.
Check Egos at the Door
Kurt: “It isn’t about you, John [sic]. It’s about the project. While standing up for your ideas or being an outspoken, honest contrarian is important, you shouldn’t go to the wall on every issue. The creative process can lead to conflict and that can be a good thing. But disagreement needs to always be respectful and thoughtful and ultimately about the issue/point, not about who is right.”
John: “Yes, I can – at times – turn things into The John Show. Understand that individual ideas are good, but know that the built-upon and refined idea you co-create will be better. From start to finish, everyone involved in the project should feel comfortable ideating, shooting down ideas, getting ideas shot down, and pivoting towards a new outcome.”
Leverage Peoples’ Styles and Strengths
Kurt: “For this project John has expertise regarding career development and I have skills and experience building digital stories. By recognizing and accepting each other’s strengths we easily divided the tasks for the project from beginning to end. Remember, everyone can’t do everything.”
John: “I deferred to Kurt early and often when it came to trimming down our script for the video and he allowed me to edit the story based on leading theories, practices and needs in the field of career development. Also, our final project is a true marriage of Kurt’s writing style (zany pulp fiction meets public relations) and mine (long form professional comedy, but with more puns).”
Create an Ambitious Timeline
Kurt: “Collaboration takes time and there can be delays when two or more people are working together on a project like ours, as it’s an extracurricular one. By building in ambitious timelines, you give yourself more room to maneuver in case things take longer. It also creates a sense of momentum, especially if you’re able to complete key benchmarks together.”
John: “Trust that your teammates will arrive at a project to work hard, like Kurt always does. And then simply create a project timeline that reflects your collective work ethic and ambition.”
Hold Everyone Accountable
Kurt: “Sharing in success also means sharing in accountability. If someone isn’t pulling their weight, a gentle reminder such as, ‘Hey Kurt, just checking in – do you need more time to edit the script?’ can go a long way. Remember, just because you’re holding someone accountable for promises made doesn’t mean you need to be a dick.”
John: “Establishing clear commitments and terms of reference – informal as they might be – provide a clear framework for who is responsible for what. And when it comes to holding people accountable, only dish out what you’re willing to take yourself. Also, have an awesome time celebrating the successes when they happen!”
Do the Diligence and Evaluate
[Editor’s note: as if to perfectly emphasize this point, Kurt did not complete this section of the article during our email exchange because he is really busy and important].
John: “Ensure that a member of the team is absolutely responsible for the refining, editing and polishing the final product, as some people pay more attention to details than others. When everything is wrapped up – and all is said and done – be sure to take some time to reflect on the experience, discuss how the final product matches the proposed goals and objectives. For example, if our Career Swap project isn’t shortlisted then Kurt and I need to do some soul searching…”
In conclusion, Kurt and I are very different individuals and over time we have found ways to complement each other’s styles and strengths as well as bring in additional team members who bring to projects skill sets that neither of us possess.
Following these five simple steps – and adapting them to suit your own needs – will allow your next project to realize its full potential and enhance community wellbeing. Just like our awesome idea, Career Swap, will. Which is why you should totally vote for it!