Various relationships exist that indicate two or more organizations or individuals working together. While they may demonstrate common purpose, they will vary immensely in levels of commitment, dedication, and intent, and the nature of the relationship you choose and how it operates is a clear reflection of you.
We may be happy to collaborate on a diverse set of initiatives with another, and there is no intrinsic commitment beyond the transaction.
We affiliate with organizations to show solidarity and cooperation between each other and suggest we share similar interests.
Partnering indicates a decision to unify towards a common purpose and objective. Partnerships bring a deep joint commitment between parties to combine strengths, unify goals, pool resources, and take collective actions to achieve the intended results.
Partnering requires us to adapt how we operate, to join, not only in the actions but that we are invested as one, for that initiative. Success in partnering requires alignment in more than the initiative, and in mission, vision, and values.
A partner in any capacity is no simple decision, and when we have the right partners we are infinitely better than we are alone. If we say we have partners, let’s be sure we mean it because we are making a statement to those who know us, and let’s be prepared to put in the appropriate effort.
