At Raise, collaboration feels like our secret advantage. Imagine each of us working at our absolute best individually but without alignment—the impact would be limited. But when we come together, combining our strengths and perspectives, what we can accomplish becomes truly exponential. In the Finance team, collaboration is essential to our success. It empowers us to provide excellent services and find creative solutions that wouldn’t be possible alone.

Building a Foundation of Trust and Support

A key ingredient in collaboration is creating space for each other. We trust that someone will always be there when we need them, whether it’s for support during busy times, a sounding board for ideas, or even a space to vent before tackling a challenge. This environment of trust doesn’t just help us meet immediate needs—it builds a culture of resilience. And with that trust comes safety, making it easier to give and receive feedback, knowing these conversations will bring us closer and improve our work together.

Adapting to a Diverse, Global Team

As our team grows globally, collaboration has taken on new layers. We’ve moved from a primarily local Oakville team to one that now includes members from Ghana, the Philippines, India, and South Africa. This transition has been as challenging as it is rewarding. No longer able to rely solely on our old ways of connecting, we’re learning to be more intentional in fostering relationships across cultures and time zones. This adaptation isn’t always easy, and we haven’t fully figured it out, but recognizing these new dynamics and embracing them has become vital to our continued growth.

Cultivating Personal Awareness for Team Success

If you’re wondering how you can work more collaboratively, start with an honest check-in—without judgment. Are you feeling overwhelmed but hesitant to speak up, fearing it will reflect poorly on you? Or perhaps you have extra capacity but worry that offering to help might make you seem unnecessary. These common, often hidden thoughts can limit our ability to connect with each other. Instead, try reaching out to a trusted teammate and sharing your perspective. Building trust requires courage, but each honest conversation strengthens your connection with your team and makes collaboration easier.

Facing Change Together

Over my five years at Raise, our Finance team has weathered many transitions: maternity leaves, retirements, new hires, and RAPs shifting teammates in and out. In all of this, collaboration has been our constant anchor. Knowing that we can rely on each other—whatever changes come our way—has helped us face challenges, grow, and adapt as a unified team.

– Shantel Sinclair