Build a Collaborative

Written by Corae Young

January 12, 2025

I’m leery of anyone who would rather build a coup than a collaborative. We may have people in our organizations or churches that have taken their frustrations and created animosity about a situation instead of creating a space for reconciliation and understanding. We have to utilize our leadership abilities, not to tear down, but rather to address the underlying issues in a productive and healing manner.

A collaborative is about a shared partnership, teamwork, unity, that involves multiple people. There’s positive energy that circulates a challenge that must be addressed. A coup is also a partnership that involves multiple people. They have a common goal with a shared mind. But, the energy is not positive and is more of a forceful or unlawful way to address a situation. Their patience for the situation is no longer there and it centers around the negative energy to overthrow rather than collaborate.

Sometimes, the way in which we handle our frustrations makes the situation worse. Sometimes the way in which we handle a situation is more of a problem than the problem itself. We must be careful in how we carry ourselves, and the authority and influence that we have. The influence we have on other people’s lives who come to us with their concerns and frustrations should rather be nurtured, supported, but appropriately handled. If you are the person that always receives the negative about a situation or person, then maybe you should re-assess why everyone comes to you with that energy and information. If you have that much insight into a situation, then the responsibility to help alter the playing field is also yours. What is our role in the situation? Are we more of a burden than a burden-carrier? If the negative energy consumes you more than the opportunities for innovation or collaboration, then maybe you are developing a coup to overthrow versus a group of people who can bring insight and change.

Be careful of your role and what energy you bring to the situation.