Improving Smithsonian Collaborations : a report by the Smithsonian Leadership Development Program Inaugural Class

Abstract

The principal focus of this report by the Smithsonian Leadership Development Program (SLDP) is improving collaborations—both external and internal. Until the Institution creates a different culture that favors collaboration, promotes risk taking, and rewards those who are successful in breaking through barriers, the Institution will continue to remain insular and unable to break out of “independent silos.” Collaboration has enormous potential to enhance the process of academic inquiry and public outreach by bringing together expertise and resources across organizational lines. Partnerships with peer organizations may also open new avenues of revenue generation that will increase financial support for mission‐related activities. The report has two major sections: one on fostering a culture of collaboration and the second on the tools for collaboration and identifies eleven recommendations.