List and discuss at least five (5) of the challenges to successful working relationships. Discuss how each of these five (5) challenges you have listed would keep working relationships from being successful if left unaddressed.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

1. Lack of a shared vision or mission. Working together toward a common goal that is clearly enunciated and understood by all parties enhances the likelihood of successfully achieving that goal.
2. Lack of agreement about the problem or issue to be addressed. All the stakeholders need to be on the same page relative to the concern being addressed.
3. Lack of incremental successes on the pathway to an ultimate goal. Often, a larger goal can seem unattainable without indicators of smaller successes en route to the ultimate goal.
4. Egos. Stakeholders must be cognizant of the need to participate collaboratively, without a single party or faction trying to control or dominate the effort.
5. Lack of diversity among group members working toward a common goal. Diverse and differing viewpoints are an asset to collaborative efforts. If all the parties are identical, then the opportunity for innovation is greatly reduced.
6. Not having the “right players” at the table. It is important to have representation from all the stakeholders to a particular issue.
7. Lack of understanding and implementation of change management techniques. Many collaborative efforts are instigated to encourage some type of change. Once that change is identified and implemented, it should be refined and institutionalized.
8. Lack of resources. An adequate allocation of resources must be provided to sufficiently address the problem at hand.
9. Lack of measures to evaluate success. The objectives should be measurable and monitored.
10. Lack of understanding about victim trauma, rights, and needs. With respect to victim trauma, rights, and needs, sufficient understanding of each element and training with respect to addressing the concerns must be sufficiently addressed.