Nature’s Lessons on Collaboration

As we move toward the future, we need to create more sophisticated ways to collaborate between systems. And we have to collaborate more effectively across climate, economic, social, energy, and political systems, not just within our organizations. It’s the only way to design more regenerative ways to do business, keep our communities thriving, and live our lives. We must make decisions to create a thriving future for the next generations.

I recently did a fascinating, deep dive into how ocean ecologies work. Below the surface of our planet is an ecology of complex, thriving relationships. Deep in the ocean are many examples of extraordinary collaboration and beautiful, long-lasting partnerships.

Perfect Partnerships

The ocean isn’t a cold world of predators and prey. Rather, it is a gorgeous world of give and take. Every species plays an integral part in maintaining the balance of this regenerative ecosystem. It is filled with cross-species collaboration and infinite lessons about partnerships, mutuality, and respect. We can apply these lessons to our organizations as we strive to collaborate more successfully across today’s web of complex, larger systems.

Let’s take the jellyfish, for example. Large jellyfish cannot see or hear but can easily flow together as a group through the ocean. What we don’t see are young companion species swimming alongside the jellyfish. They find safety in the band of these luminous creatures as they grow.

And there are lots of these types of partnerships deep within the ocean. Sea horses have been partners with Fan Coral for so long that they have evolved to look just like the colors of the Fan Coral. Sea anemone and clownfish have also developed a synergistic relationship. The small clownfish provides nutrients and cleans the anemone, while, in turn, the anemone helps to protect the clownfish.  This isn’t a unique partnership, either. There are many places in the ocean where larger fish go to get cleaned by small species that, in turn, feed off the resulting bacteria.

An Ancient (and perfect) System of Give and Take

The ocean is a place of dazzling diversity, and everyone must play their part to maintain the delicate and dynamic balance of the ecosystem. Below the sea, we find a complex world built on relationships. Here, the ancient system of give and take is fundamental, and life communities cooperate to survive and grow.

It is a perfect place to learn what Nature can teach us about collaboration. As I studied this ecosystem, I reflected on the differences between how humans have designed their expectations and systems and how Nature has designed living systems.

Here are some of the differences between human organizations and Nature’s ecosystems when it comes to partnerships and collaboration:

This is just a start on how our systems differ from Nature. Given these two different systems, we still need to ask more questions. With the right questions, we can guide our organizations toward solutions for their own “ecosystems” that support collaboration and partnerships.  Questions like:

• Do we think collaboration is a hindrance to finishing projects on time?
• Can we frame our job descriptions to include collaborative rewards and responsibilities?
• Are specific human systems hindering collaborative work within our organization and externally with other systems?

And most importantly:

How can we build regenerative systems that are conducive to the life of future generations?