By: Bert Zethof

One of my favourite warm-up exercises when facilitating workplace teams is to have each person share one thing about themselves (e.g. skill, hobby, experience) that no one in the room knows about. Inevitably, the most common remark is; “I didn’t know that about you!” And, almost magically, I sense a surge of energy and closer connection within the team – another plank is laid for closer collaboration and the creation of breakthrough solutions.

The world needs more of this magic to happen in the business community. Business leaders in the same city, let alone around the world, can operate for years and still not discover what makes each other’s business special. Why should they care? They should care because only by knowing the unique and valued contribution of their business to bettering the world can it remain relevant and grow.

Remaining relevant is more and more challenging. The business world is global, inter-connected and fast changing. Whole industries can transform virtually overnight. Business leaders must keep talking with each other (and other stakeholders) to understand the nature of the changes so they are better able to respond and adapt.

Remaining relevant is one thing, evolving and growing is another thing. Businesses have a critical role to play in solving the world’s challenges. But no one company can solve the difficult challenges alone. Only by talking with each other can business leaders discover the complementary capabilities they can bring to the table and create the innovative solutions that are needed. There will be more than enough new business opportunities for everyone.

Rather than going it alone and setting their sights on each other, business leaders have more to gain from working together on the challenges that society needs solved.