There are co-operative associations and organizations galore. A cooperative movement isn’t a brand new concept. It prevails in all of the nations and is a well-known idea. It is active in all international locations and is represented in all the sectors such as charity, social & child welfare, universal healthcare, etc. Cooperative movements are formed to protect the interests of weaker sections. It is a voluntary association of people, whose motive is the welfare of the society at large. Well-meaning people coming together to do well unto society, without selfish motives.
However, sometime it is seen more as a chance of making hay while the sun shines on a lot of other hard working and contributing people. It is seen as a chance to be in the limelight without venturing forth. Herein comes the importance of noting the difference between cooperation, collaboration and freeriding.
Collaboration and cooperation are two words which are often used interchangeably, especially in the workplace. Both terms are so overused that their distinct meanings have blended into one. They’ve effectively become buzzwords. But contrary to popular belief, they’re different!
There’s a small but crucial difference which impacts a number of ways work gets done in organizations, including how people associate their work with the organization’s goals, and how they see their work in relation to their colleague’s. Freeriding is, well freeriding. So it’s worth investigating the actual definitions of these two words. Let’s get right into it.
Collaboration is when a group of people come together and work on a project in support of a shared objective, outcome, or mission. It’s a photographer working with a designer to create a cover image, or the technology department working with the marketing team to improve their customer journey. It essentially is the coming together for common good, and not necessarily selfless, In fact it is the motive of selfishness that keeps them going on together.
Cooperation, while is essentially the same, two or more people coming together with a common motive, for greater good. There is an element selflessness involved and it is the objective and not the individual gains that matter here. Even in case of common interest groups, like a farmer’s cooperative union, while it is the betterment of the produce or prices, it is for not just those in action, but for farmers as a whole.
Freeriding is just that. Taking a free ride on someone else’s shoulders. Nothing ventured, all gained. Taking the fruits of someone else’s labour and input and enjoying it to the fullest.
So at the end of the day who gets what?
The collaborators know, how much to put in, and what to take home. They have accurate calculations and carry none to benefit them. Any load they carry will be for themselves. And no free riders get anything freely out of them. They are good for themselves, they take nothing freely nor take anything thus.
Yo! Free –riders. There are benefits of free riding that beats every form of coming together, hands down. The first is the need, not to venture anything, but to be there at the right time and seen in the best light. Of course since they hardly sweat they look the best. And since the ride is on someone else’s shoulder, you are seen first and highest. And at the end of the day, you go home with nothing lost, everything gained. Bravo!
Just a word for those who put in the hard work. You will never be seen, much less known. And in the end you will go home tired, your energy spent, fatigued at carrying the heavy loads of the free riders. Everything ventured and everything lost. May help you if you stayed alert.