HBR's 10 Must Reads Big Business Ideas Collection (2015-2017 plus The Essentials) (4 Books) (HBR's 10 Must Reads)

Collaborative Overload

by Rob Cross, Reb Rebele, and Adam Grant

COLLABORATION IS TAKING OVER the workplace. As business becomes increasingly global and cross-functional, silos are breaking down, connectivity is increasing, and teamwork is seen as a key to organizational success. According to data we have collected over the past two decades, the time spent by managers and employees in collaborative activities has ballooned by 50% or more.

Certainly, we find much to applaud in these developments. However, when consumption of a valuable resource spikes that dramatically, it should also give us pause. Consider a typical week in your own organization. How much time do people spend in meetings, on the phone, and responding to e-mails? At many companies ...