Building a Culture of Collaboration
At The Spark Mill, we have been intentional about examining our internal practices and asking hard questions about how we work together. Part of that work has included unpacking how white supremacy culture can show up in everyday routines, norms, and expectations, even in well-intentioned organizations. Because we encourage and support this kind of reflection with our clients, we want to ensure our own internal culture is rooted in equity.
Many people are unaware that certain ideas of professionalism are deeply rooted in white supremacy culture. Believing there is one right way to do something, valuing individual productivity over collective success, and working in isolation rather than as a team are all patterns that have been normalized in many workplaces. These approaches can limit creativity, reinforce hierarchy, and unintentionally silence voices that would otherwise strengthen the work.
As a team, we have been learning to recognize and challenge these patterns. One of the most meaningful shifts has been our commitment to collaboration. Instead of defaulting to siloed work, we are prioritizing shared ownership of projects, open dialogue, and collective problem-solving. This has required us to be more intentional about how we communicate and how we support one another.
If you are looking to make a similar shift, here are three ways to start prioritizing collaboration:
Create regular space to think together. Collaboration does not happen by accident. Build in time to meet, share ideas, and problem-solve as a group, even when it feels easier to work independently.
Share ownership, not just tasks. Invite others into the thinking, not only the execution. Shared ownership encourages accountability and leads to stronger, more thoughtful outcomes.
Name collaboration as a value, not just a preference. When collaboration is clearly stated as part of your culture, it becomes easier to prioritize and practice consistently across teams and projects.
Collaboration is a journey for our team. We have not perfected it, but we continue to prioritize working together and learning from one another. Our shared expertise, paired with our individual experiences, brings fresh perspectives to each project and strengthens our ability to provide thoughtful, values-aligned strategic guidance.