Coordination, or cooperation, in essence, refers to the process where several people come together to achieve a common goal.
Coordination, or cooperation, in essence, refers to the process where several people come together to achieve a common goal. We must be able to coordinate with people in our daily lives, because not only does it make the achievement of common goals easier, but also ensures social harmony. Lack of coordination results in the downfall of systemic processes and brings down sustained uniformity like a house of cards. The need for coordination has very well been demonstrated by the early hunter-gatherer societies of our civilization, who coordinated among large groups while venturing out to hunt and forage. Coordination is not only an organizational but also an evolutionary and biological need. For example, birds migrate in flocks, ants work together to move large objects, and often also provide their bodies as bridges for smooth passage. As humans, we function through intra-body coordination, for example, hand-eye coordination etc. Beyond that, humans engage in coordinating behavior every step of the way, for example, while operating heavy machinery in factories, the labor force constantly ensures clear communication to ensure that work proceeds smoothly.
Before discussing the means and methods of coordination, it is imperative to understand its need. On an organizational level, coordination ensures higher efficiency. When people from multifarious work departments work in coordination, it is ensured that duplication of work and overlapping of efforts is avoided. The organization’s human and non-human resources are optimally utilized and the global output of efforts supersedes individual productivity. Secondly, the process of coordination brings together people from different backgrounds together. Along with, there is a feeling of mutualism that binds people together, thereby improving relations. Moreover, an orderly effort under an established leadership sustains a sense of security in the group, and the collective achievement of common tasks generates feelings of happiness and positivity. Coordination also ensures unity of action in the face of undesirable circumstances. People with similar ideologies can come together to express their mutual dissent against unfair practices. Collective action holds a greater impact than individual efforts. For example, students from a university come together to express dissatisfaction against the authoritarian decisions of the administration. Lastly, a profound consequence of coordination is social harmony and stability. When coordination is present, the feeling of ‘community’ is encouraged. As humans, one of our key requirements is the feeling of belongingness, which is fulfilled by cooperative behavior.
Types of Coordination
Direct cooperation is when similar activities are carried out by a group to achieve a specific goal. For example, students host a group study session to ace the upcoming examinations.
Indirect cooperation is when different activities are carried out to achieve a common goal. For example, employees in different departments do their work which ultimately contributes to the company’s growth. Social cooperation occurs when people cooperate as a social group, for example, in sports teams.
Religious cooperation is when people come together under the same faith, for example, Hindus similarly celebrate Diwali across the globe.
Financial cooperation is when multiple people contribute funds to a common cause, for example, charity donations and investors investing in a firm.
Benefits of Coordination
Clear communication
This is the foundational stone of coordination. While sending out commands or discussing strategies, one must keep their vocabulary free of short-forms, regional lingo, slang, and jargon to ensure that the key message is delivered clearly and crisply. Communication is not only about delivering, but also about receiving. Similarly, while receiving instructions, it is crucial to devote all your attention span to the speaker and make notes of what is required of you. Asking questions and seeking clarifications also aids the communication process leading to effective outputs.
Taking cognizance of the fact that everyone is versatile, dynamic and have different personalities
It is a must that our communication styles cater to the nature of the person we are speaking to. What works for one may not for the other, thus, it is beneficial to take some time out to understand these personality variances and act accordingly. Beyond fourth, organization and clarity are of utmost vitality. When the flow of work is organized and there is clarity as to who is to be doing what, the procedure continues organically. Lack of organization gives way to chaos, due to which overall and individual output suffers. Organized workflow allows for the foresight of struggles and provides ample space for preventive measures.
Incorporating such techniques into our daily lifestyles will result in comprehensive developments and provide a boost to our work ethic. Minute changes create a ripple effect and create positive upliftment in all sectors of work and personal life.
References
Vorobeychik, Yevgeniy, et al. “Does Communication Help People Coordinate?” PLOS ONE, vol. 12, no. 2, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170780.
Courage, Jake. “Coordinating with Others - 10 Skills to Future Proof Yourself.” 42courses.Com, 42courses.Com, 10 Dec. 2021, https://blog.42courses.com/home/2019/1/10/coordinating-with-others-10-skills-to-future-proof-yourself.
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