Hi, Eunice - good post:)

I like your distinction between true collaboration and what I might call "consensus-building", or that all-out effort to get complete and consistent approval or agreement on every decision.

In my experience, regardless of the decision, some few will be solidly in favor of the action, a few might actively oppose it with a larger number passively resisting, and the majority will go with the flow, more or less.   While this does not place most workers in a very positive light, it does the reality that I have seen more often than not.

With collaboration as you describe it (and the example you give is a good one of how collaboration can work with a supportive structure present), more people are likely to wind up in the passively or actively supportive part of the equation.

I guess I am saying that the goal in collaboration is to gain the momentum by minimizing the  number of resistant employees and maximizing the number of those who support the direction or action.

As to your question, I have always tried to adopt a collaborative approach, through my college and military leadership experiences, and in my working career in a variety of areas.   While some areas, such as non-profit environments, seem more open to collaborative leadership (or coaching leadership, as I think of it), I believe that good collaboration can happen everywhere.

One caveat:  Collaboration is sometimes claimed, but not actually used.  As an example, I worked for one CEO who regularly  brought groups together to consider various initiatives and possible directions for our organization.  The problem was that she walked into every meeting with her own ideas firmly established.  The result was that right after being asked to respond to a possibility, those present were subjected to a sales pitch, using the full authority of her position.

This made for some stimulating and animated hallway conversations, as you might imagine, but did absolutely nothing to serve the organization.  However, this CEO regularly claimed that organizational decisions were the result of collaboration, pointing to these gatherings as proof of our community.

Sigh ... I did not really enjoy that environment.

Thanks for a thoughtful and useful post:)

John