TODAY'S UNIT OF WORK IS THE TEAM.
TEAMS PERFORM THROUGH COLLABORATION.
THE PURPOSE OF COLLABORATION IS TO AMPLIFY PERFORMANCE.
HOW GOOD IS YOUR THEORY OF COLLABORATION?
THE KANTOR FRAMEWORK
A theory of effective collaboration
The Kantor Framework1 deconstructs the hidden dynamics of group interactions across three dimensions of behavior preferences driving what, how, and why we do what we do. Understanding your unique set of behavior preferences is a practical way of knowing yourself and others that goes beyond traditional strength assessments to drive better decisions, clearer communication, and smarter execution, amplifying performance.
WHAT WE DO
Roles determine
contributions
Roles describe what we do; the job to be done; the preferred contribution we make on a team. Knowing these four roles drives smarter execution.
Do you contribute by
2. Finishing the action (Follow)
3. Correcting the action (Oppose)
4. Connecting the action (Bystand)
HOW WE DO IT
Rules determine
expectations
Rules describe how we do what we do; the rules of the game we implicitly follow (and expect others to follow too). Knowing these three rules prompts better decisions.
Do you expect and respect
2. Inclusion and participation (Open)
3. Autonomy and freedom (Random)
WHY WE DO IT
Goals determine
priorities
Goals describe why we do what we do; how we define success, prioritize actions, and measure performance. Knowing these three goals facilitates clearer communication.
Do you prioritize
2. People and connection (Affect)
3. Achievement and results (Power)
Smarter Execution
Do you contribute by
2. Finishing the action (Follow)
3. Correcting the action (Oppose)
4. Connecting the action (Bystand)
Better Decisions
Do you expect and respect
2. Inclusion and participation (Open)
3. Autonomy and freedom (Random)
Clearer Communication
Do you prioritize
2. People and connection (Affect)
3. Achievement and results (Power)
1The Kantor Framework is an evidence-based theory of Group Dynamics developed by renowned systems psychologist Dr. David Kantor and taught at Harvard Business School.