Definition
The factor – Personal Qualities, Knowledge, and Skills – involves three elements:
- Experience/knowledge in collaboration,
- Leadership skills in collaboration,
- Health professionals’ and other individuals’ personal characteristics.
Personal qualities, knowledge, and skills includes: experience in and knowledge of the other sector, that is, either primary care or public health; experience and knowledge of collaboration in general; leadership skills in collaboration; and personal characteristics of people involved in the collaboration including professionals and others.
Personal Qualities, Knowledge, and Skills matter!
“Joe really made all the difference. He always respected the opposite views of the others and showed real leadership when we were trying to reach a consensus with decisions.”
Experience and Knowledge
First-hand knowledge gained through experience in the other sector, that is, in either public health or primary care, can be an invaluable asset in initiating an intersectoral collaboration.
This direct knowledge provides leverage for an individual to move forward with the understanding of the uniqueness of the other sector and how to collaborate in relevant and meaningful ways.
Knowledge gained through experience of being in other collaborations is another advantage. Previous collaboration experience is a benefit when working in new intersectoral collaborations.
Leadership skills in collaboration
Individuals with leadership qualities are indispensably linked to successful collaborations. They focus on what is best for a collaboration and bring out the best in others.
With confidence, a clear vision, and inspirational qualities, leaders get things done by leading the way for others. Leaders, formal and informal, who can assist in managing change, are also invaluable to a forming collaboration.
Personal Characteristics
Health professionals’ and other individuals’ personal characteristics, can be a significant factor influencing collaboration.
There are several important positive personal characteristics including someone who:
- Is trustworthy, engaging, and knows how to form good relationships;
- Knows how to reach out across the sectors;
- Knows how to communicate and connect with others;
- Has the expertise, yet listens and learns from others and is willing to share his/her knowledge.
Other important positive personal characteristics include energy, tenacity, and dependability.