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Partnership Myth 18: Having a formal written agreement will ensure better performance and communication

Do you think that even the most articulate marriage contract would guarantee harmonious relationships, where partners communicate clearly and perform better as spouses? Not a chance! Contracts and other written agreements are tools to facilitate the partnership process. They are designed to clarify roles and expectations, and facilitate communication and performance. They don’t guarantee it. […]

Partnership Myth 17: All partnerships should be formalized and have written contracts

Do you require all of your family, friends and colleagues to sign an agreement outlining the terms of your relationship? Of course not. Written contracts are tools that can be used by partners to help facilitate the partnership process and meeting the partnership objectives. Written documents help to outline the results, roles, responsibilities and terms […]

Partnership Myth 15: Partners should be able to communicate clearly with all stakeholders

Partners should be able to recite the vision and mission of the partnership with energy and enthusiasm to anyone who asks. Beyond this, your partners become finely tuned instruments designed to deliver specific messages to specific stakeholders, based on their expertise and backgrounds. Do we expect every partner to speak more than one language? No! […]

Partnership Myth 14: The partner that holds the money should run the show

The process for selecting a leader for your partnership can stop a partnership before it even starts. The process can be so uncomfortable that partners default to generic criteria. “The leader should be the one who: contributes the most money and resources; is the largest organization; has the most to lose; or who has the […]

Partnership Myth 12: Conflict and confrontation should be avoided

Conflict and confrontation help develop healthy relationships and partnerships. If done in the right context, conflicts and confrontations can provide you with essential gems for growing your partnership and solving problems. For example, if you want your kids to tell you the truth when you ask them a question, you have to be prepared for […]

Partnership Myth 11: Trust will develop naturally

Trust doesn’t happen by accident, regardless if you believe if it is ‘given or earned’. Trust is built more effectively when you have a specific and purposeful trust building strategy. People have their own rules and beliefs about trust. People have their unique definition of trust. People experience feelings of trust differently. People gain and […]

Partnership Myth 9: Collaboration is about everyone getting along

Your partners might expect that ‘as long as we are collaborating, we must get along’. Your partners each have unique and specific needs they want met.  If partners help you meet your needs, you’ll perceive that you are ‘getting along’ with them.  If they challenge you, or do things that interfere with you meeting your […]

From Supporter to Partnership Champion

Our clients tell us there is a big difference between partners who are supporters of the partnership versus those who are ‘champions’. So, once you’ve found the right people, how do you turn partners into partnership champions? Here’s what our research tells us about what makes partnership champions unique: Partnership champions consistently achieve better results. Why? […]