Cooperation
Also known as coordination, working in concert
The need for people to work in concert rather than at cross-purposes. A sense of coordinated effort where actions align rather than conflict.
When met or unmet
When met
- Working in concert with others
- Mutual assistance
- Not working against each other
When unmet
- Competition where cooperation is needed
- Others blocking or obstructing
- Zero-sum dynamics
Common expressions
Can't we just cooperate? Stop working against me We need to work together
Strategies
- Clarifying shared goals and individual roles
- Communicating about your actions and intentions
- Finding ways to support others' efforts
- Addressing conflicts that prevent coordination
Recognition questions
- → Are the people around me working with or against each other?
- → Is there coordination or chaos in my environment?
- → Do I feel supported or undermined by others' actions?
Somatic markers
When met
- A sense of flow and ease in joint effort
- Relaxation from aligned action
- Energy from rowing in the same direction
When unmet
- Frustration at cross-purposes
- Exhaustion from working against friction
- Tension from uncoordinated effort
Shadow side
- Conformity that suppresses healthy disagreement
- Expecting cooperation without contributing to it
- Resentment when others don't cooperate as expected
Cultural considerations
Cooperation-competition balance varies culturally. Some contexts normalise competition; others emphasise cooperative harmony.
Related needs
Often confused with
Collaboration
Collaboration involves joint creation; cooperation can be simply not obstructing each other.