#30: Be a Collaboration Designer
Right now, AI is introducing:
Disruption to how work is done
Automation of low-level tasks, pushing humans to become more creative, strategic, and relational
Increased risk of disconnection and depersonalization
In an age where AI handles the what, human-centered collaboration becomes the new competitive edge for the how.
Be a Collaboration Designer
I thought I coined this term.
Then I googled it… and found MURAL’s whole manifesto on it.
(Shoutout to Collaborative Intelligence - worth a read.)
But you know what they say:
Good artists copy. Great artists steal. -Picasso
So here we are.
The truth is: we were already pretty bad at collaboration.
85% of time in the workplace is wasted on inefficient collaboration (you already know I love referencing this stat)
Psychological safety is still the exception, not the norm
And now we’re adding AI teammates to the mix
If you’re leading teams, shaping strategy, designing orgs, or facilitating change - you can’t just “host a better meeting” anymore.
You need to design the system: the rituals, the norms, the spaces, the tech, the trust.
You need to be a Collaboration Designer.
8 Elements of a Collaboration Designer
Here’s what I believe makes a great Collaboration Designer - someone who can integrate AI and activate humans to do their best work:
Orchestration: The facilitation skills to move ideas, data, AI tools, and human energy toward a shared outcome
Storytelling: The ability to use internal and external stories to build influence, energize teams, and create clarity
Environment: Designing inspiring physical + digital spaces where creativity and connection can thrive
AI Fluency: Staying current on AI trends and tools, and knowing when (and when not) to use them
Maker Mindset: Helping teams move from stuck to shipped: with AI as a co-creator, not a replacement
Coach / Player Leadership: Knowing when to roll up your sleeves and when to lead from behind
Psychological Safety: Creating trust, calming the nervous system, and allowing for real risk-taking and honesty
Process + Tools: A deep toolkit across HCD, agile, lean… and the wisdom to use the right tool at the right time
No one’s actively owning this intersection.
Right now, we outsource it to:
HR for leadership development
IT for tool adoption
Workplace for space design
Coaches and therapists for psychological safety
Strategy and innovation teams for process and tools
But in the AI era, these pieces have to be woven together, not managed in silos.
The Collaboration Designer is that weaver.
Start Practicing and strengthen your collaboration design skills
Take a moment to reflect. Where do you struggle the most? Is it facilitation? AI fluency? Psychological safety?
Start brainstorming ideas on how to strengthen that skill today.
AI-Powered Self-Coaching Prompt
Use this AI prompt to generate ideas on how to level up your weakest area:
I am a {role} and my goal is to {goal inside my team}. I want to increase my skills as a Collaboration Designer based on these 8 elements: [link to full article]. Help me brainstorm practical ways to improve my {element I’m weakest at} in my daily work.
Example:
“I am a Product Manager, and my goal is to help my team move from ideas to execution faster. I want to increase my skills as a Collaboration Designer based on these 8 elements: [link]. Help me brainstorm practical ways to improve my facilitation and orchestration skills in my daily work.”
Drop this into ChatGPT, Claude, or any AI tool you use - and see what comes up.
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Until next time,
David
Whenever you are ready, there are 4 ways I can help your organization:
Sprints: Get proof an idea will work (or not) in days or weeks. Not months or years
Coaching & Training: Equip your workforce to build more customer-focused solutions
All Hands Workshops: Turn your All Hands meetings + conferences into immediate results
Ways of Working: Launch behavior change interventions before investing significant resources