What Real Collaboration Requires—But Rarely Gets

Several years ago, while based in the field, I joined a roundtable convened by the local office of a major donor agency exploring a new initiative. It was unusual—not because of who was in the room, but because of when they brought us together. Instead of gathering partners to share information on already approved plans, they asked for input on designing a new initiative—before anything was finalized.

The energy was different.

People weren’t protecting turf or negotiating overlaps.

They were exploring possibilities—together.

Across NGOs, UN agencies, governments, corporations, and embassies, we were thinking in real time, not retrofitting after the fact.

In the end, the initiative didn’t move forward. But that early conversation stayed with me.

Because, too often, what gets called coordination is really just deconfliction—once everything’s already locked in.

What would be different if we designed for collaboration from the start?

As I write and speak on collaboration, this question continues to stick with me. Because the best moments I’ve seen—the ones that shift the energy, clarify the work, and build real momentum—have come when people make space early, not just sign off at the end.

It doesn’t have to be flashy.

It just has to be real.