Phil is my friend, and I’ve read most of his books, always with a critical eye -- which I believe he appreciates. Here’s the note I sent him after going through Reimagining Collaboration, “Best book yet -- though I can't decide if it's because it's my fav topic or really better than Message Not Received.” Click here for my earlier comment on Message Not Received.

Reimagining Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work is Phil Simon’s latest book. We all collaborate. We all need to align our talent, technology, and technique appropriately for the times. Reimagining Collaboration offers a unique perspective based on a hub and spoke model -- but not in the way you might guess.

Hub and Spokes

Here hubs include platforms like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. Spokes are the tools and processes (e.g., project management tools like Wrike, content creation tools like Google Workspace, and specialty process tools like DocuSign) that connect to the hubs. Spokes give us the flexibility to do our work in the unique way we need, while the hub allows us to collaborate effectively. The magic comes from using the hub and spokes to automate repetitive tasks and leave us time and energy for work uniquely suited to our skills and interests. 

Finding New Ways to Work

Regardless of your current level of expertise or technology platform, Reimagining Collaboration will give you opportunities for reflection and action about how your organization, your team, and you get work done. You’ll see realistic and robust discussions about implementing new ways of working. As I did, you may want your colleagues and leadership to at least read the chapter summaries. 

This is Chapter 8’s, a favorite of mine:

You can see why I’m a fan. Here, and throughout the book, I can interpret the suggestions in terms of what I call Thinking in 5T™ (approaching work with a Target supported by Talent, Technology, and Technique, aligned for the Times). Simon doesn’t privilege any one aspect but offers guidance across the dimensions of our work.

Even with my professional focus on these topics, I found much to learn (and store away for my presentations). 

Classic Quotes

“Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools, he is nothing; with tools he is all.” —Thomas Carlyle

“You’ll avoid the pitfall of tools about which Henry David Thoreau warned us: becoming a tool of your tool.” — noted in Mike Vardy’s sidebar

“The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.” —B. F. Skinner 

...as well as some with a modern touch:

“He knows changes aren’t permanent . . . but change is.” —Rush, “Tom Sawyer” 

Suggestions and Hopes for 2021

• Read Reimaging Collaboration — your work will be better as a result

• Listen to Simon’s podcast (I’m a bit biased toward Episode 7, where I’m his guest)

• Start 2021 with new approaches to your work — If you’d like more on that, consider this post, Work Crafting via Negotiated Change

• Please let me know what you think in the comments here or on Twitter @TerriGriffith

• Borrowing from Steven Dubner (Freakonomics podcast): take care of yourself and, if you can, someone else too.