Problems / Solutions

The Partnering Solution

Partnering Problems, Our Solutions

Whether your own partnering is performing at high or low levels, you can improve partnering communications and performance by fully understanding the predictable problems partnering encounters and putting our Partnering Solution method to work.

Predictable Problems

You are not alone! The predictability of partnering problems makes the problems easier to solve:

Partnering unravels from the top down. Though senior managers who initiate partnering understand its goals, they fail to fully communicate those goals to the people trying to carry them out.
People underestimate the need to communicate at every level. "It speaks for itself?" Because they understand their own perspective in depth, people tend to underestimate the need to communicate at all levels.
"We value diversity" and yet ... Partnering that links organizations with different cultures and people can stimulate productivity and fresh thinking. However, that same diversity also often triggers mistrust and conflict.
Partner, heal thyself. People tend to blame their partners for partnering problems, but many organizations' own ineffective internal communications and politics make them their own worst enemy.

Our Partnering Solution Method

Our partnering method has consistently yielded positive, lasting results in 200+ projects in a wide array of applications:

We form a working group consisting of a vertical slice (senior, mid and grass roots levels) from all groups involved
No one-time retreats! We lead a series of several workshops with participants implementing specific action items between workshops
In each workshop participants work at four different partnering tasks that combine to result in significant gains -
- Taking Stock. Objectively assessing partnering strengths and weaknesses.
- Building Trust. Deepening their ability to work positively with differences and diversity.
- Clarifying Goals. Translating general partnering goals to apply to all levels of participants.
- Refining processes. Agreeing on and fully implementing key communications processes to ensure partnering success

Content copyright William Ronco, Ph.D., Gathering Pace Consulting, www.gatheringpace.com