11

Three Views on Partnership

Must offer mutual benefits, but more than money – creating opportunities

Success is viewed as working together to create value

You cannot control a partnership as a whole – it requires working at every level

Living system; to be nurtured as with any relationship.

Kanter, Rosabeth Moss (2002) Collaborative Advantage: The Art of Alliances

22

Five Phases

Meeting and Dating• Initial excitement, but will it last

Getting Engaged• Planned and confirmed; meet the

family; start working

Married and Living Together• Reality kicks in; recognising

differences as they emerge

33

Five Phases

Learning to Get Along• Dealing with differences and learning

to collaborate on five levels: strategic; tactical; operational; interpersonal; and cultural

Married for Years• Comfortable with all the required

change and at ease• Continuing to learn from each other.

44

Six Rules for a Happy Partnership

Don’t be blinded by loveNurture the human side/relationshipsForm inter-organisational bondsWork differently but togetherDon’t be stuck in your waysAim for ‘win-win’

and, maybe consider a pre-nuptial agreement!