Our society is reliant on partnerships. The best organizations have the best partnerships and supplier networks in place. Partnerships are diverse, and while we may not consider them as such, our clients and employees are partners too. Ultimately, there is a direct correlation between the quality of our relationships and our success.
Organizations talk of partners, yet how many genuinely emphasize these partnerships? In any successful collaboration, there is alignment and synergy, shared beliefs and understandings, and a drive toward a common purpose. Conversely, when misaligned, one or both parties suffer.
While essential to maintain the goals of one’s organization at the forefront, finding a balance with our partners is crucial. All too often, organizations seek a deal that they know is heavily biased in their favor, and to what benefit? As a result, you win, your partner struggles, and they feel disadvantaged. So where is their incentive to extend themselves for you beyond what they agreed? And what occurs when other options arise?
A strong partnership is one where we feel we have compromised and given up much and also believe we have gained in other facets. There is equilibrium. Not parity, but rather a symbiotic bond. It is in our interests to carefully craft our partnerships with both parties’ interests being satisfied, at least to some degree. Those that are not are characterized by constant bickering, unmet commitments, and a reliance on a legal resolution to resolve impending disputes, of which there are many.
With care, we create harmony, and then we, us and partners, can thrive.
