Developing Powerful Partnerships

We're forming unique partnerships where the lines between student and teacher are blurred.  Where we learn while we teach and we teach what we learn and we learn to be teachable.  It's not simply the effort of one person, but the teamwork of many.  As this unique community evolves, I think there are some principles that have proven successful over time.   

I believe that each of us already embody these principles in some way.  My hope is that by sharing them in this post, they serve as a foundation from which we will build, realizing that strong partnerships produce a valuable product.

1. The most effective partnerships build upon trust, transparency, and concern for each other.
This project is much more than coordinating post dates, planning events, talking through strategies and tactics.  It will find its greatest meaning in the relationships that are nurtured and developed.  We will be better as we know each other better, sharing in the time it takes to understand and appreciate one another.

2. The most successful partnerships are formed in order to accomplish a vision or task.
Realize that #1 and #2 are complementary.  As this project evolves, we will need to put specific dreams and ideas into tangible action steps.  When we start to run out of things on the horizon, we will begin to lose our motivation.  As my father-in-law tells me (he's 68), "when you run out of 'I just can't waits...' then you're done."

3. Early on, our partnerships should have smaller, acheivable objectives.
We don't have to tackle the meaning of life within the first three months.  When we start off small, we achieve small victories which give us momentum and an excitement to tackle something bigger.

4. Partnerships find their passion when they begin to identify felt needs and seek to reach out and remedy them.
Our group is extremely positive, I mean, look at the name of this thing...joyful!...jubilant!  We almost sound giddy about learning.  So what's wrong with learning these days, as well as, what's right?  Do people really need another website that promotes learning?  If so, what will be the unique voice of this group?  If not, then what niche will we fill, what need will we meet?

5. Partnerships are a process, not an event.
We are on a journey together and we may never reach a destination.  I like that idea.  Much like growth in any area, I believe we develop daily, not in a day.  I think one of the best people that I've seen accomplish the "relationship geek" thing is Phil Gerbyshak.  He has been able to transform his online connections into real life interactions.  I think that's cool.  He is continually engaged in the process of nurturing relationships.

6. The partnerships that we build on here will be more challenging to maintain than to start.
There is a lot of energy right now built into the newness of this project.  It will take much more concentration a few months down the road to keep our vision sharp, our focus clear, our communication open, and keep on meeting our objectives.

7. Our partnerships are most effective when people are clear about who they are and what they bring to the table.
I love the uniqueness of this group.  No two are alike.  It is when we are able to keep a strong sense of our individual strengths and work with confidence in who we are (and who we're not!) that we bring our best.  It's when we admit where we are weak that we free up other people to do what they're good at.  In other words, the less you do (working in the areas of your strengths), the more you'll be able to accomplish.  The less you do, the more you'll allow others to accomplish.

8. Partnerships work better when all of the partners feel a high sense of participation and ownership.
I heard this point loud and clear when Rosa first began to form the core group of people for this project.  Everyone has a place, everyone has a voice.  It is not simply one person's project and we are all standing back and cheering that one on.  As you consider what your role will be, there will be many opportunities to step in and lead something which will involve a lot of other people.

9. Effective partnerships do not come free.
Every partnership will cost the individuals involved.  Sometimes it's just easier to do things by yourself.  But that's not what we're about here.  We are greater than me.  We are greater than the sum of our parts.  It will definitely cost us time, it may cost us some money, it may even cost us priorities in other areas of our lives.  But it is worth it.  I'm willing to pay the price.

It is said (perhaps too often) that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.  I would simply add that if I'm going to travel a thousand miles, it sure would be nice to have some good friends with me along the way.  It's partnerships that make the journey fun.

---

Tim Milburn writes at studentlinc where he seeks to develop lifelong leaders one student at a time.

Comments

[Steve Sherlock]

Excellent points, Tim! I am ready to pay the price.

I was pleased to find (as I got caught up on some reading) this posting by Patti Digh about creating mud balls. It should almost be required reading for us, especially since we are talking about rolling up our sleeves and getting down in the dirt. http://37days.typepad.com/37days/2006/10/polish_your_mud.html

[Rosa]

Much to think on here Tim, thank you for the very giving intentions you put in this writing. We will have to grow in the way we challenge ourselves, and I admire you for doing so here. I appreciate it.

This objective of having a “powerful partnership” is very appealing to me. Partnering is up with BHAG-ing.

Power is one of those words that can have an affronting kind of nature to it, however I have always preferred to think of it as a good thing (for those of you who may have it, there is a subheading in Managing with Aloha titled “The positive found in power” on page 106.) Power is about influence and effectiveness, and to achieve those things while conducting oneself with the intention of being a worthy partner to others is distinctively alo (presence and demeanor—the ‘alo’ in aloha).

I believe we have come together wanting to achieve what you describe here, partnering well in a powerful way. You mention that I “began to form the core group” here, however from my standpoint, the group formed itself in their level of engagement within JJL‘06 at Talking Story. The voices here had become the more familiar and compelling ones in the comment conversation the forum had engendered. Those who are here as Kūpuna, the founding fathers of JJLN, were ready. They were ready for this in their individual growth, they were ready for partnering with each other, and they were willing to take a leap of faith fully cognizant of the ‘price’ they may pay in committing to JJLN.

I could not possibly want for better partners. And as Steve has said in the first comment here, I too “am ready to pay the price.”

But ah, the rewards! I love how you started this: “We're forming unique partnerships where the lines between student and teacher are blurred. Where we learn while we teach and we teach what we learn and we learn to be teachable.”

To the rest of the Ho‘ohana Community, and to all who read and we have not yet met, it is definitely about timing. I love that Tim helps us understand more fully what to expect. When you are ready too, speak up and take the same leap of faith. Know that you will already have 12 people here to fully support you. To partner with you too.

Mahalo for allowing me this long comment.

[Greg Balanko-Dickson]

Awesome, amazing, exciting, outstanding, phenomenal, inspiring post on partnering, partnerships and price, can I pay twice?!

I am in with both feet, actually I have decided to jump in the deep end and get all wet with learning and growing... Tim you are a excellent leader, you seem like an easy guy to follow.

Let's get excited! Can you hear the roar of the crowd... I can.

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Wow, this is going to be quite a team. We have amazing leaders, amazing learners, and I look forward to learning from everyone here. The fact that we are all going to be sharing our energy is extremely exciting for me, and I look forward to meeting you all in person one day, one way or the other.

#7 excites me the most: I look forward to leveraging my strengths to helping each of you grow and to each of you here sharing yours with me to help me grow.

Ready...set...GROW!

[Blaine Collins]

Tim, Your words light our way. You capture the moment, the journey, the future.

The questions in #4 are worth much discussion, yet the answers may only be revealed in time. I suspect that our offering will define our niche; our contribution will define our place.

A special honk honk for #3. Grandoise visions are inspiring. Steady successes are contagious.

I somehow feel that #7 speaks to me directly. Relatively new to the community, I lack knowledge regarding the strenghths/weaknesses within the partnership. (Perhaps I am not alone in this respect.) It is hard to know where to put my efforts or to determine what project might make a meaningful contribution to our learning. Therefore, your guidance - to do less and to work in an area of strenghth - is valuable.

Finally, I have to echo Rosa because I love this quote, "Where we learn while we teach and we teach what we learn and we learn to be teachable." I look forward to many teachable moments!

[tim]

Hello Friends. I could live for a month on all of the positive energy you are sending my way in your comments. It is good to see that you have identified with certain items on this list. For me, it becomes a target on the wall that I will strive to aim at as we grow in our encounters with one another.

I'm considering some other tools that may help us to develop this sense of team and the partnerships that we will develop. It is a unique time in history when distance is no longer a detractor from meaningful work together.

Thank you again for your kind words. They are like small treasures that I have referred back to often over the last day.

[dave]

Tim - your points are so pure! I feel if we keep moving forward our horizons will continue to change, opening new vistas of possibility.

Time spent with our postings and discussion at this time is deposited money. As we continue to learn more of each other and learn more about those who visit, interest will grow.

Blaine,

Along with yourself and all others who join in and participate: This will NEVER be a good ole boys type of community! There will never be a separation of old timers and newcomers. A collective passion to learn and help flattens hierarchy and opens arms in welcome.

[toni]

Tim, I have waited to write a comment because you have given me so much to think about. This is a unique opportunity and all of your 9 points are targets for me to live up to in this community. Thank you for this guide and direction.

The one message I got loud and clear is the call for commitment. The commitment to stay with this group, be part of this group and to invest my thoughts, energy and time to this great group. Honk, Honk, Honk! I am hip deep in dirt and I am love it!

[Rosa Say]

Blaine, I must second Dave’s response to you, for I agree wholeheartedly with his description of this community. However I think you are probably voicing exactly what still-lurking readers are thinking as they read and contemplate when to make their presence known, and I am glad you have said it here in print.

We needed a core of people willing to commit to the early leadership of JJLN; I think every project does as it launches. Leadership is visible, and when it is modeled with the demeanor this group is already demonstrating so well, the strengths of each person shine brightly, and weaknesses become irrelevant —and how fitting we are having this conversation within Tim’s article, for in my experience with this group and with other dynamic project teams, partnering is one of THE best ways to make weaknesses irrelevant and take strengths from good to great.