Character Trait: Collaborative

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Collaborative refers to the ability of a person to work effectively and cooperatively with others towards a common goal. A collaborative person is someone who is willing to share ideas, listen to others' perspectives, and compromise when necessary. They value teamwork and understand that the success of a project or endeavor is often dependent on the contributions of multiple individuals. A collaborative character is one who can work well in groups, communicate effectively, and build strong relationships with others.

Possible causes of being collaborative

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Being empathetic and understanding of others' needs and desires
• Being comfortable with sharing credit and recognizing the contributions of others
• Valuing the process of collaboration as much as the end result
• Having positive experiences working with others towards a common goal
• Being part of a team or group that values collaboration and mutual respect
• Growing up in a cooperative and supportive family environment
• Valuing open communication and active listening
• Being a problem-solver who enjoys working through challenges with others
• Recognizing the benefits of diversity and different perspectives

For detailed feedback on collaborative characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's story analyzer.

Behaviors associated with being collaborative

You may be able to show your character's trait of collaborative by using these.

• Actively listening to others
• Offering and receiving feedback constructively
• Being willing to share knowledge and resources
• Communicating clearly and effectively
• Being open to compromise and finding common ground
• Being flexible and adaptable to changes
• Contributing to the group's goals and success
• Taking turns and valuing others' contributions
• Recognizing and utilizing the strengths of others

Attitudes associated with being collaborative

You may be able to show collaborative through their attitudes.

• Openness to constructive criticism
• Eagerness to contribute to a group effort
• Focus on building relationships and trust
• Willingness to share credit and recognition
• Willingness to communicate openly and honestly
• Valuing teamwork and shared success
• Willingness to compromise
• Willingness to listen to others' ideas
• Respect for diverse perspectives

Thoughts and struggles associated with being collaborative

Here are some ideas for things your collaborative character may think or struggle with.

• They may feel uncomfortable with conflict or disagreement and try to avoid it in order to maintain harmony within the group.
• A collaborative character may struggle with balancing their own ideas with those of their team members.
• On the other hand, they may feel energized and inspired by brainstorming and working with others.
• They may feel frustrated when their ideas are not accepted or when their teammates do not contribute equally.
• They may prioritize the success of the team over their own personal success or recognition.

Emotions associated with being collaborative

Here are some ideas for emotions your collaborative character may experience.

• Trustworthiness
• Willingness to listen to others
• Willingness to compromise
• Appreciation of diversity
• Open-mindedness
• Team spirit
• Supportiveness
• Communication skills
• Flexibility
• Respect for others' opinions
• Empathy

Facial expressions associated with being collaborative

Here are some facial expressions your collaborative character may exhibit.

• A tilt of the head to indicate listening
• Raised eyebrows to indicate interest or surprise
• Open body language (uncrossed arms, relaxed shoulders)
• A nod of agreement
• Leaning in towards the other person
• Eye contact
• A gentle touch on the arm or shoulder
• A smile
• A genuine laugh or chuckle

Body language associated with being collaborative

Here is some body language your collaborative character may exhibit.

• Using a calm and relaxed tone of voice to convey approachability
• Nodding and smiling to acknowledge understanding and agreement
• Asking open-ended questions to encourage dialogue and input from others
• Mirroring the other person's body language to establish rapport
• Leaning in towards the other person to show interest
• Using open and welcoming gestures, such as palms facing up
• Maintaining eye contact while actively listening

For detailed feedback on collaborative characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's story analyzer.

Behaviors associated with being collaborative

Here are some behaviors your collaborative character may exhibit.

• Recognizing and utilizing the strengths of others
• Communicating clearly and effectively
• Being willing to share knowledge and resources
• Actively listening to others
• Taking turns and valuing others' contributions
• Being flexible and adaptable to changes
• Contributing to the group's goals and success
• Offering and receiving feedback constructively
• Being open to compromise and finding common ground

Growth and evolution of collaborative characters

Here are some ways that your collaborative character may grow and evolve over time.

• Developing new skills or abilities through collaboration
• Learning to compromise and find common ground with others
• Overcoming personal flaws or weaknesses
• Developing deeper relationships with other characters
• Learning to trust others and rely on teamwork
• Gaining a new perspective on a situation or problem
• Learning to communicate effectively with others
• Discovering new strengths or talents through collaboration
• Overcoming past traumas or conflicts through the support of others

Stereotypes of collaborative characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical collaborative character like these examples.

• The "Passive-Aggressive" character who expresses their disagreement or frustration in a negative or indirect way
• The "Yes-Man/Woman" who always agrees with everyone and has no unique ideas or perspectives
• The "Lone Wolf" who refuses to work with others or share credit for successes
• The "Egomaniac" who always wants to be in charge and takes credit for everyone else's work.
• The "Over-Achiever" who takes on too much work and doesn't delegate, causing stress and resentment among the team
• The "Doormat" who always lets others take the lead and doesn't stand up for themselves or their ideas
• The "Micromanager" who doesn't trust others to do their job and constantly interferes or criticizes their work

It's important for writers to create collaborative characters who are unique and well-rounded, with strengths and weaknesses that contribute to the dynamic of the team.

Negatives of being collaborative

Here are some potential negatives of being collaborative. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Can lead to conflicts and disagreements if not managed properly
• May lead to compromising too much and losing individuality
• May require more effort to reach a consensus among team members
• Can result in slower decision-making processes

Positives of being collaborative

Here are some potential positives of being collaborative. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Leads to better communication and understanding between team members
• Promotes a sense of shared ownership and responsibility
• Allows for diverse perspectives and ideas to be heard and considered
• Fosters creativity and innovation
• Increases productivity and efficiency
• Facilitates learning and personal growth for all team members
• Helps build trust and respect among team members
• Creates a positive and supportive work environment
• Encourages teamwork and cooperation

Verbal expressions of collaborative characters

Here are some potential expressions used by collaborative characters.

• "We make a great team."
• "I'm open to hearing your perspective."
• "How can we improve this together?"
• "I value your input on this."
• "Let's work together on this."
• "Let's compromise and find a middle ground."
• "What do you think about this idea?"
• "Let's brainstorm some solutions."
• "Thank you for your contributions."

Relationships of collaborative characters

Here are some ways that being collaborative could affect your character's relationships.

• They often prioritize mutual respect and understanding when interacting with others.
• Collaborative individuals may be less likely to engage in conflict or competition with others, instead focusing on finding ways to work together to achieve shared objectives.
• Collaborative people tend to have positive and cooperative relationships with others.
• In relationships, collaborative people may be skilled at listening, communicating effectively, and finding common ground with others.
• They tend to be respectful of others' boundaries and ideas, and may enjoy mentoring or coaching others to help them reach their goals.
• Collaborative individuals are typically open to compromise and willing to consider different perspectives.
• They may seek out opportunities to work with others and enjoy engaging in group projects.

Examples from books of characters who are collaborative

• Atticus Finch and Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
• Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Lennie Small and George Milton from Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
• Holden Caulfield and Phoebe Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson from the Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Writing exercises for writing collaborative characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write collaborative characters.

• Create a character who is hesitant to collaborate with others. Write a scene where they are forced to work with someone else. How do they react? What do they learn from the experience?
• Write a story where your character must collaborate with someone from a different culture or background. How do they bridge the gap between their differences? What do they learn from the experience?
• Write a story where your character has to navigate a complex social situation. How do they handle conflicts and disagreements? Do they try to find common ground or do they stick to their own beliefs?
• Write a story where your character must work with a group of people who have conflicting goals or agendas. How do they navigate the situation? What compromises do they make?
• Imagine a scenario where your character must work with someone they don't like. Write a scene where they have to put aside their differences and work together. What challenges do they face? How do they overcome them?
• Write a scene where your character works with a group to achieve a common goal. How does your character contribute to the group? How do they interact with others? Do they take on a leadership role or do they prefer to work in the background?
• Create a character who is a natural collaborator. Write a scene where they work with someone who is hesitant to collaborate. How do they persuade the other person to work together? What strategies do they use?

Remember, the key to showing the collaborative trait in your characters is to focus on their ability to work with others towards a common goal. Use these exercises and prompts to help you explore different aspects of collaboration in your writing.