Dan Wilson just wrote one of the most insightful blogs on what it takes to successfully collaborate with someone (Regarding Ground Rules For Collaboration).  As a singer/songwriter and major collaborator in writing music (he has co-written songs with Adele including “Someone Like You” (number 1 in Britain for 6 weeks), Josh Grobin, Keith Urban and the Dixie Chicks (for which he won a Grammy) Dan probably knows a thing or two about collaboration.

It is evident in this article.

He wrote this with creative people in mind (artists, writers, etc.) but it applies to all of us – in business, social, charity, government, etc…

Some of my favorite highlights:

  • “Audition every idea.”
  • “Don’t worry whether it’s been done before … Originality will take care of itself.”
  • “Three very powerful words in a collaboration: “How about this?” Four words to use after them: “Or, how about this?”
  • “‘No’ is a last resort”
I think Dan could make a career as a business consultant if he ever decided to quit the music business (NOTE: Dan if you’re reading this, please don’t quit the music business!!  You have too many fans out there who would miss you – me being one of them).