Awkward Collaboration: Recognizing the Invisible Hurdle in Your Workplace

The poll results are in! We asked our community whether they recognized the “awkward collaboration” culture pattern in their workplace, and here’s what they said:

• Yes, definitely: 37%

• Hmmm... maybe. I need to read more about this: 35%

• Nope! We don’t have this pattern: 28%

It’s no surprise that more than two-thirds of respondents feel some level of awkward collaboration within their teams. But what does this pattern really look like, and why does it matter?

What is “Awkward Collaboration?”

Awkward collaboration is when people technically work together, but the effort feels clunky, inefficient, or strained. It’s not outright conflict or dysfunction, but it’s far from seamless. Instead of unlocking the power of teamwork, this pattern leaves organizations moving like a rusty old machine—slow, frustrating, and prone to breakdowns.

When awkward collaboration persists, it costs organizations time, money, and energy. It stifles creativity, undermines trust, and erodes momentum. In short, it holds everyone back.

Examples of the Awkward Collaboration Pattern

If any of these examples hit close to home, it might be time to address this culture pattern:

• Team meetings are painfully polite—no one challenges ideas, and decisions are watered down.

• You need “three levels of approval” to move forward on something minor.

• Project handoffs between teams feel like a game of telephone—things are constantly dropped or misinterpreted.

• People work in silos, only to discover later that someone else was doing the exact same thing.

• Deadlines are met… but only after a mad scramble and panicked late-night work.

• Email chains go on forever because no one feels empowered to make a call.

• Leaders say, “Let’s collaborate!” but don’t provide clear goals, roles, or structures to do so.

• Brainstorming sessions generate tons of ideas, but zero follow-through.

• Teams don’t feel safe admitting they need help, so they silently struggle instead.

• Cross-functional projects have lots of meetings… but no meaningful progress.

Why It Matters

Awkward collaboration might seem minor, but it’s a sign of deeper culture issues—lack of transparency, unclear decision-making, or fragile trust. Over time, this pattern leads to burnout, disengagement, and missed opportunities.

What to Do Next

Awkward collaboration is fixable, but it requires intentional action. Start by identifying where these friction points occur. Ask questions like:

• Are roles and responsibilities clear?

• Do we have shared goals and processes across teams?

• Is there enough psychological safety for people to challenge each other?

»»» READ MORE posts about awkward collaboration

And if you’re ready to fix this for your team, department or organization, let’s talk. Because collaboration shouldn’t feel awkward—it should feel like progress.