Collaboration that Works: Phase 2 - What Should We Do?

Series Note: This is Part 2 of a five-part series exploring the phases of the Collaborative Action Model—a framework I developed to help mission-driven leaders move from possibility to impact through purposeful collaboration.

Phase 2: What Should We Do?

By the time you reach Phase 2 of the Collaborative Action Model, you’ve completed a round of listening—learning what stakeholders need, hope for, worry about, and imagine. Now it’s time to shift from discovery to discernment.

In other words: What should we do together?

This is the moment to make meaning of the input gathered, identify shared priorities, and begin crafting a coherent vision of what you might do together.

But here’s the tricky part: not every opportunity surfaced in Phase 1 is worth pursuing.

Some ideas may stretch beyond the group’s readiness. Others may fall outside the scope of shared interest or capacity. Phase 2 is about moving from all that could be to what’s truly worth doing.

Key Priorities in Phase 2

1. Synthesize findings and identify opportunities

Pull themes from Phase 1 into a digestible summary. Then, explore:

• Where is there alignment?

• Where are the tensions or competing priorities?

• What kinds of possibilities emerge from the patterns?

Group reflection—ideally with representation from all major stakeholders—helps move toward clarity.

2. Apply a shared decision-making framework

Don’t rely on gut instinct alone. Create transparent criteria to evaluate ideas. You might consider:

• Mission alignment

• Strategic importance

• Community benefit

• Resource feasibility

• Political viability

• Readiness to act

The goal isn’t just to vote on ideas—it’s to build shared reasoning that supports thoughtful choice.

3. Move from input to options

Use what you’ve learned to draft 1–3 concrete options for collaborative action. These might range from informal alignment to formal partnerships.

Don’t skip the nuance—define the scope of each option:

• What exactly would this entail?

• Who would be involved?

• What would success look like?

These aren’t final decisions, but they help the group clearly see what’s truly on the table.

Tips for a Strong Phase 2

✅ Stay focused. It may be tempting to look back to Phase 1—but at some point, you need to pivot to action.

✅ Balance ambition and feasibility. Prioritize options that feel energizing and attainable, not just exciting on paper.

✅ Design for co-ownership. Avoid letting one party steer the vision alone. Collaboration means shared commitment—starting now.

✅ Be transparent about trade-offs. Acknowledge what’s being left behind, not just what’s being chosen.

The Bottom Line

If Phase 1 is about listening, Phase 2 is about choosing.

What’s worth doing—together? Where is there real energy and alignment? What vision can you commit to explore more deeply?

This phase doesn’t require every detail to be sorted. But it does require focus, clarity, and a shared sense of purpose. Because once you know what you’re aiming for, you can start building the structures, trust, and momentum to bring it to life.

In the next newsletter, we’ll take a look at Phase 3: How will we do it?

Click here for your download of my Collaborative Action Model

If you’re tired of disappointing collaborations that fail to meet their promise or potential, I can help. Reach out for a zero-pressure conversation about your situation. Let’s explore what better could look like—together.