Partnerships are built to last. No one goes into a partnership wanting it to fail. Yet we find breakdowns in partnership relationships. Setting up a partnership is easy, sustaining it requires an understanding of what makes partnerships work.
Trust is the building block of any partnership. Our ability to be trustworthy and be trusting builds bonds. When we are willing to stand by our principles and promises made, trust gets established.
Partners need to think win-win. When we look at both aspects of the relationship and ensure that not only are we taking care of our interests but are equally protecting the interest of others, we build enduring partnerships.
In any partnership, we need to think long-term. There will always be short-term pressures and sometimes disagreements. The long-term paradigm helps give a perspective and willingness to let go of short-term issues for long-term value creation.
The partnership needs to be more important than the partners. It is natural to think about ourselves and take care of our individual needs. However, there are times we need to subordinate our interest for the sake of the partnership. We need to move from trying to maximise what we want, to create long-term value for what the partnership can deliver.
There are always times when the partnership comes under pressure and strain. It is at the lowest point that we need to display the highest care, compassion and understanding to help sustain the partnership. When we know our partner is under pressure and we give in, we are not compromising. We are letting go to ensure that the partnership does not get compromised.
When we build lasting partnerships, we understand the value of synergy and realise that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. A partnership can collectively do more than individuals.
Documents don’t define a partnership, people do. And as we build and enjoy valuable and lasting partnerships, we also realise a simple truth of life – every relationship we carry is a long-term partnership waiting to be built.
(Picture-British Columbia, Canada)
Hello Vivik, what a coincidence. I just have to deal with a difficult situation where 20+ people are involved in a challenging decision to be taken. I read your post and just wrote an email to them. Your line of thought helped me to find my words. Thank you very much! Again a wonderful post!