300 Brickstone Square • Suite 201 • Andover, MA 01810 USA • 1.800.288.7246 • +1.978.649.8200 • info@corpedgroup.com
P
artnership is a word that gets thrown around in the
business world often. People use it to describe any
relationship, business alliance, or friendship. However,
we believe that partnership is something very specific that
goes beyond collaboration to something deeper, more
powerful, and life giving.
True partnerships transform good relationships into
extraordinary ones. Not only that, they make routine work
interesting, complicated projects energizing, and difficult workplaces rewarding. More than ever,
people are turning to partnerships in organizations. They find that partnerships help them through the
challenges they face on the job.
Partners boost the quality of deliverables, access a broader range of resources, and develop innovative
ideas. They gain perspectives that they wouldn't have had otherwise, and benefit from the experience
of another. They find companionship and support in a lonely workplace and, sometimes, have a
magical experience of synergy that they'll remember all of their lives.
The Power of Partnership
A favorite partnering story features Karen, a project manager in an insurance company. When a new
CEO came with a bold vision, he chose Karen to lead a mission-critical technology project. Having
worked on these kinds projects before, and seen many flounder, she knew that the only way to succeed
would be to do things differently.
Karen found Pedro, the business sponsor for the project, and initiated a partnership with him. Karen
and Pedro realized that each had things the other needed: critical information, access to resources,
and different perspectives. More importantly, they realized that they needed to build their partnership,
share their perspectives, and work out the differences that could have divided their teams in order
to be successful. As they devoted time and energy to developing their partnership, they were both
profoundly impacted by the unexpected gifts their partnership provided. Not only did Karen receive
the support she sought, but she learned new skills (including some handy gardening tips!). Pedro
found an ally in Karen, who helped him navigate the politics of a company he had joined only months
ago.
In the end, Karen and Pedro's project was an unprecedented success. To the CEO's delight, they
implemented the new technology on an impossible schedule, achieving ambitious quality and
customer satisfaction goals. They've continued their commitment to each other; they stay in touch and
help each other whenever asked to this day. Many people have commented on Karen and Pedro's
Creating Productive Partnerships
M A N A G E M E N T A N D L E A D E R S H I P
