"Partnering For Success"

By Nina Atwood

No matter what the business endeavor, the primary ingredient for success is people! The individuals who drive an enterprise must partner with energy and enthusiasm, and they must possess the tools for communication and collaboration in order to make it happen. In synergistic systems, one plus one does not equal two. In successful business enterprise, it equals much more in terms of energy and output.

Organizational systems are composed of people, an overall organizational vision, a set of intentions, and multitudes of actions and tasks that drive enterprise forward. To be successful, the system must operate with synergy, meaning that each component works in harmony with the others for maximum production of energy and results.

Often the principals in a system will design a vision or do strategic planning, then move full speed ahead with actions and tasks, neglecting to "enroll" others in the organization before going forward. This sometimes creates "resistance" in the form of people dragging their feet or failing to put forth creative effort and energy toward the latest and greatest initiatives. Systemically, it feels somewhat like putting one foot on the gas and pressing down while keeping the other foot on the brake in your automobile. There is a huge consumption of energy but no momentum!

When organizational systems are not working, what is often missing is the element of "partnering." What does that entail? In essence, partnering is the ability of two or more individuals to connect with a common vision or set of intentions and make it happen! To the degree that partnering is positive and absent of resistance, projects flow, business enterprise moves forward, and success is natural and easy.

What does it take to have successful partnering? There are several essential elements, the most important being effective communication, common values, a common vision that is internalized by all parties, and effective systems for self- and other-management. To integrate all of these elements sometimes requires stepping back from day-to-day work flow, making assessments with the assistance of coaches or consultants, and implementing new methods of communication, management, and operations. The commitment to this kind of "groundwork," though initially time-consuming, saves countless hours and dollars in the long run.

Where can you begin? The first place is an informal assessment of organizational communication processes with a self-conducted inventory. Ask yourself: 1.) What is the overall vision for my organization/team? Vision for the latest initiatives? 2.) To what degree has each individual integrated that vision? 3.) To what degree are we using the tools of collaboration and connection to foster that integration? 4.) What resources do we need in order to facilitate those processes?

Second, be willing to take a hard look at the self-management skills of the principle players. A chaotic environment leads to work that is scattered and yields uncertain results. Personal performance is maximized when we have precise systems for tracking all incoming data, including key communications, action steps, and results.

Third, take a good look at your management style, asking key questions such as: 1.) How free do people really feel to speak to me about issues or problems they are having with me? 2.) How available am I to address others' clarification questions? 3.) At the end of meetings, is everyone clear about the objectives and empowered to move them forward (i.e., they possess the resources that they need)? 4.) Overall, how energetic and enthusiastic are the individuals in my teams?

These questions lead us directly to the study of what it takes to mentor, coach, empower, inspire, and motivate others around us. These essential skills take a lifetime to master, but yield immediate results just by making the commitment to learn and implement them.

In a nutshell, partnering for success means beginning with self, by asking hard questions and being open to feedback and coaching. It means connecting powerfully and positively with others to create, sustain, and manifest a vision for enterprise. It means developing the qualities that enable you to utilize your most potent asset: the people quotient in your organization. That is success!

Article Copyright 2002 by Nina Atwood, All Rights Reserved

Reprints only by permission of Nina Atwood