What do you do if you want to maximize sustainable solutions through cross-disciplinary collaboration?

Maximizar soluções sustentáveis por meio da colaboração interdisciplinar envolve identificar problemas ambientais e sociais, montar uma equipe diversificada, estabelecer objetivos claros, promover comunicação aberta, adotar design thinking, fazer parcerias externas, avaliar o impacto e compartilhar conhecimento. Essa abordagem visa desenvolver soluções inovadoras, mensuráveis e centradas no usuário, com foco na sustentabilidade a longo prazo.

Begin by identifying clear goals that align with overarching sustainability objectives. Like aim to reduce carbon emissions by 30% within five years or increase renewable energy usage by 50% in urban areas. Define specific metrics to measure success, such as waste diversion rates or water conservation targets. Encourage collaboration between diverse disciplines, such as engineering, environmental science, and social sciences, to address complex sustainability challenges holistically.

Create a common understanding of the defined goals, priorities and expectations. The SMART method is a very simple approach to setting goals. OKR "Objectives and Key Results" can also support the setting of measurable goals and helps to harmonise these goals with the available resources.

To maximize sustainable solutions through cross-disciplinary collaboration, establish clear goals and objectives that emphasize sustainability. Foster open communication channels between different disciplines, encouraging the exchange of ideas and expertise. Facilitate collaborative workshops or projects that bring together diverse perspectives. Implement a structured approach for problem-solving, leveraging the strengths of each discipline. Encourage innovation and creativity by creating a supportive environment. Regularly evaluate progress and adjust strategies as needed.

It's important to know exactly what you would like to accomplish, and be able to communicate that clearly. Often the reason and desired result of collaboration is vague. Make sure that expectations and specific details on what the result should be are communicated clearly and at the beginning of the collaboration process.

No tener claro un objetivo es ir a la deriva y los resultados no se consiguen. La fase de definición de objetivos es clave y puede seguir la metodología SMART, donde se puedn además medir, contando con un plan de trabajo. Es a partir de allí que se definen los recursos profesionales necesarios

Metas bem definidas fornecem direção, foco e permitem que os participantes monitorem o progresso: - Meio Ambiente: Reduzir as emissões de gases de efeito estufa em X% até 20XX. Aumentar a porcentagem de energia renovável na matriz energética para Y% até 20XX. Diminuir o consumo de água em Z% até 20XX. Proteger X hectares de áreas naturais até 20XX. - Sociedade: Garantir o acesso à água potável e ao saneamento básico para 100% da população até 20XX. Assegurar que todas as crianças tenham acesso à educação de qualidade até 20XX. Economia: Criar X novos empregos verdes até 20XX. Aumentar a participação da economia verde no PIB para Y% até 20XX. Desenvolver e implementar políticas públicas que incentivem a sustentabilidade.

This is complex challenge but what we can do is: Break down silos: Gather experts from diverse fields (engineering, policy, economics) to brainstorm solutions. Speak the same language: Facilitate clear communication to ensure everyone understands each other's viewpoints. Embrace innovation: Encourage out-of-the-box thinking to discover unexpected solutions that integrate different disciplines. Focus on co-creation: Work collaboratively to design solutions that are not only effective but also implementable across disciplines. Celebrate wins (big & small): Highlight successes to maintain momentum and inspire continued collaboration.

The mixture of technical skills and soft skills is crucial for the success of interdisciplinary teams. Team members should ideally not only have specialised knowledge and experience, but also curiosity and passion for the project as well as an open and flexible way of thinking and acting. Make your interdisciplinary team aware that the input of all members is needed to achieve the set goals. Also create commitments. Similar to team sports, every player must know which role they have in the team and what contribution is required of them. The clearer the "game plan" is defined, the more motivated the team will be, especially when the first successes become obvious.

En la diversidad esta una gran fortaleza del equipo. El líder debe ser capaz de construir el equipo en base a las fortalezas de cada uno, que solapen las debilidades. Para ello el Líder debe crear un ambiente propicio de crecimiento y colaboración donde todos se sientan participes, quizás metodologías ágiles pudieran ser útiles o la aplicación del Neuroliderazgo

Uma equipe diversificada reúne indivíduos com diferentes perspectivas, conhecimentos e habilidades, o que é essencial para o sucesso da colaboração interdisciplinar. A equipe deve incluir especialistas de diversas áreas relevantes para os objetivos de sustentabilidade, como engenharia, ciências ambientais, economia, sociologia, política pública e gestão. A equipe deve reunir profissionais com diferentes experiências de trabalho, incluindo aqueles do setor público, privado, acadêmico e da sociedade civil. A equipe deve incluir indivíduos de diferentes origens, culturas e contextos, o que pode trazer novas ideias e perspectivas para a mesa. A equipe precisa de um líder forte que possa facilitar a colaboração, motivar os membros da equipe.

There are several strategies. First, establish clear objectives that include diverse perspectives and expertise. Facilitate channels to encourage the exchange of ideas and knowledge across disciplines. Develop interdisciplinary teams with a mix of backgrounds and skill sets to promote creativity and innovation. Implement structured processes for collaboration, such as regular meetings, workshops, and brainstorming sessions, to ensure effective coordination and decision-making.

To maximize sustainable solutions, assembling diverse teams from various disciplines is critical. Include experts from environmental science, engineering, economics, social sciences, and beyond. This multidisciplinary approach brings together unique perspectives and skills, driving innovation and fostering comprehensive solutions to sustainability challenges.

Promover o diálogo e a compreensão mútua entre diferentes disciplinas, reconhecendo as diversas perspectivas e conhecimentos especializados. Exemplos: Estabelecer canais de comunicação eficazes para que diferentes disciplinas possam se conectar e compartilhar informações. Criar plataformas online para facilitar o acesso a dados, pesquisas e ferramentas relevantes para a sustentabilidade. Promover eventos e workshops que reúnam especialistas de diferentes áreas para discutir e colaborar em soluções sustentáveis.

I would add some collaborative insight, add new tools such as cyberstorming and brain writing. Usually we are stuck with brainstorming as the only tool, but resent research has shown that individuals are more creative that teams, and this is mostly due to the dominance of a few team members in a brainstorming session. Many technical professionals are less outspoken and many ideas are lost in the process.

It's the team leader's mission to ensure a good basis of trust, because trust is the foundation for successful collaboration. Consciously promote team spirit and respectful interaction with other members. This includes, for example, accepting other points of view during discussion rounds and enabling constructive discourse. A positive and constructive feedback and error culture should be a matter of course.

In every organization, team members that are the most hands-on can offer new insight in where waste is being created or where process are inefficient. I recommend building rapport through informal one-on-one coffee chats. Get to know people as individuals, allow them to know you a little, and trust will be built. This creates the environment needed for team members to feel safe acknowledging problems and suggesting their solutions.

Integrate knowledge from various fields to inform decision-making and problem-solving. For example combine expertise from engineering, biology, and economics to design eco-friendly infrastructure projects that consider both environmental impact and cost-effectiveness. Encourage knowledge sharing through interdisciplinary workshops, where experts exchange insights and perspectives on sustainability challenges. Foster a culture of open communication and mutual respect among team members to leverage diverse expertise effectively.

Integrar el conocimiento equivale a gestionar el conocimiento. Todos tienen algo que aportar de su experiencia, pero también es importante definir lo mecanismos de captura de este conocimiento (podría ser medios electrónicos, por ejemplo) y también de compartirlo, para lograr la sinérgia necesaria para los objetivos. El líder debe generar los mecanismo y espacios para ello

When implementing solutions, two things are vital to success. 1st) The effort must be consistent. Over time, sustainability-related actions will become a habit for you and your team. Whether it is daily food-waste tracking or an energy-use accountability-check at the end of the weekly team meeting, it must be consistent to create long-term change. 2nd) Your team must understand their role. Create open-dialogue your team to gather their perspective on how this impacts their day and to show your team how much their contribution can make an impact on the larger picture. Not just corporate profits, but the environment and planet as a whole.

What we measure, we manage. Transparent reporting is as crucial to a business' sustainability performance as it is to financial performance. But it's not a one-size-fits all solution. What a hotel reports is different than what a bakery reports. Consider how your business impacts the local community and work from there. A great, tangible place to start is (a) energy usage & (b) waste creation.