What is interaction? Inter – between. Action – doing, acting. The middle ground.<\/p>\n
We often long for interaction. A real meeting where we focus on something we have between us.<\/p>\n
And at the same time, we talk a lot about the need for collaboration. Many organizations are struggling to increase collaboration, build collaborative cultures.<\/p>\n
Several buzzwords here: collaboration, co-creation, cooperation.<\/p>\n
Sometimes it is interesting and clarifying to look in to the actual meaning of a word. Especially to look at what sets it apart from other words that we might use as synonyms.<\/p>\n
Co- as a prefix means something that is common, shared.<\/p>\n
An interesting difference compared to the prefix inter-. Inter as a prefix points to something that is between us.<\/p>\n
When the meeting and what we are going to do together are placed between us, instead of it being immediately shared, it might create more space for action. And perhaps even more important: a space for seeing more clearly, seeing the different perspectives and degrees of complexity.<\/p>\n
And that space can also allow for a meeting between independent parties, where different perspectives can create movement and new insight.<\/p>\n