From the desk of My Collaborative Team President, Edward S. Sachs, ACP 

The first Collaborative training I attended was in 2003. Within a few years I became part of a training group in Florida. By 2015 our group had trained almost half of the Collaborative professionals in the State of Florida.

Now, twenty years later, I am still learning new techniques. Last Thursday the My Collaborative Team Advanced Training focused on the role of the neutrals and their importance in the Process. Carol Hughes, Amy Clews and Sheila Furr joined me in the presentation. We continued our discussion at Happy Hour on Friday.

What amazed me the most from last week is how much I learned about how different techniques, in different communities, are improving how we practice Collaborative.

In the early days we were taught that the Collaborative Process begins with the first team meeting. Then for many years we moved away from that philosophy and encouraged teams to allow the neutrals to do as much work as possible before having our first team meeting. Now we seem to have come full circle, though more of a mixed bag than before.

The importance of that first team meeting and getting the Process on track, showing the clients how important understanding the Process and seeing the professionals work together as a team is now the preferred method.

We are learning from each other all the time. Through this shared learning we are all becoming better Collaborative professionals.

Join us on Fridays for Happy Hour. I promise you will end your week with a better understanding of the Process and with the encouragement to make yourself a better Collaborative professional.

If you know someone who wants to become a Collaborative professional invite them to attend our virtual Introductory Interdisciplinary Training beginning next week.