A question we often get is should I go solo or should I enter into a partnership. Partnerships are powerful; unfortunately they can be powerfully good or powerfully destructive and disappointing. If you are considering a partnership, and we suggest you do, consider the eight elements of a powerful partnership as presented in Power of 2: How to Make the Most of Your Partnership at Work and in Life by Rodd Wagner and Gale Muller, Ph.D:
- Complementary Strengths – Understand what you are good at and not so good at (see our 4/19/10 Blog) and look for a partner who has complementary strengths.
- A Common Mission – be certain that you have a shared goal and a shared vision of your business.
- Fairness – the doctrine of fairness is important because no one wants to feel they are being taken advantage of.
- Trust – trust is a core element of all good relationships. If trust does not exist between the partners, the partnership will never develop.
- Acceptance – we all see the work through our own lenses and from our perspective. Accept (and honor) that your partner may have a different perspective (And, we believe this adds value.)
- Forgiveness – we all make mistakes; humans are imperfect. It’s important to forgive, to understand through trust that your partner has your best interest in mind.
- Communicating – communicate and communicate often. Assumptions are deadly to partnerships, as they quickly build and run wild- and usually not in the right direction. Communication enables clarification and promotes understanding.
- Unselfishness – great partnerships are based on mutuality– “when the natural concern for your own welfare transforms into gratification in seeing your comrade succeed”
These eight elements represent the essence of a good partnership. As you consider partnering, first see how you fair on these elements.
Copyright 2010 Kubica LaForest
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