Sinner’s Circle (1959) is a chemistry concept showing that cleaners (such as dish soap) work much better when four interdependent factors maintain a balance. And by adjusting any one of the components in this closed loop system, you can compensate for a deficit in another.

Natalie Nixon (CEO of Figure 8 Thinking) has applied this concept to collaboration. In this article, she discusses the key collaborative components of asking generative questions, pursuing high-stakes outcomes, navigating the friction of give-and-take, and exercising patience and persistence.

BTW, regarding the latter, she reminds us that a leader who calls collaboration a failure “after one difficult meeting” is like a cook who pulls the pan from the fire before the heat has had a chance to work. A collaborative team takes work and it doesn’t happen overnight. But the eventual results are well worth the effort!