Partnerships come in many forms. There are legal ones such as in business or marriage and there are loose ones when two people come together to work or share ideas but then go on to work or share ideas with others too. With a really good partnership the total can be more than just the sum of its parts. Here are some ideas about what you can gain from a partnership.
Share Responsibilities – Somehow with a partner to share the responsibilities the job doesn’t seem as daunting.
Example: For an alumnae function for my college I partnered with 2 other women to have the event in my home. We shared the tasks of phoning, shopping, setting up and cooking. None of us could have done it alone.
Outsource Your Weaknesses– You do what you are good at and your partner works from his/her strengths. You compliment each other.
Example: If you are good at numbers, you do the accounting for the business while your partner who likes to sell is the marketer.
Brainstorm With a Buddy – You get your creative juices flowing by coming up with ideas with someone else. Brainstorming alone is not nearly as productive.
Example: Try listing all the states in the US by yourself. Now discard that list and brainstorm a list with a friend. I’ve tried this with many people and invariably two people come up with more than twice as many states as the individuals did when working alone.
Instant Camaraderie – It is always more fun to work with someone else.
Example: The task of putting all the books on the bookshelves looked tedious for Sal and Cindy. Together they finished quickly and had time to reminisce about the many books they had enjoyed reading.
Share Resources – Everyone has different knowledge, books, equipment, and materials. Pool your resources and you have more to work with.
Example: My friend and I agreed to do a presentation together. She had several books on the topic and I had some tools I had used previously. Together we prepared a presentation with more resources available than had we done it alone.
Gain Synergy – You can build on each others ideas.
Example: One partner suggests a trip to Cape Cod for the weekend. The other suggests going to Martha’s Vineyard and the first then remembers a lovely bed and breakfast that she stayed in many years ago on Martha’s Vineyard.
Have a backup – It isn’t all on your shoulders now. You have a partner who can pick up the slack and give you some breathing room.
Example: Need a break? The kids have been screaming all day. How nice when my partner takes charge so you can lie down for 5 minutes.
Push the envelope – Working with a partner can inspire you to move beyond what you have done before and take a risk.
Example: You’ve never spoken to such a large audience before. You’ve prepared with a friend and with her encouragement you do it.
Gain a new perspective – A partner might get you to think about a new option or see something in a new way.
Example: You get upset because the ballgame got rained out. Your partner sees it as an opportunity to play “Singing in the Rain” and so you both get dressed up in raingear and play in the puddles. Suddenly you see the rainy day as a blessing.
Get The Work Done – Partners hold each other accountable Example: Your room is a mess and you just haven’t got around to cleaning it up. Your partner complains about a messy office. You both agree to clean up in the next hour and then go to the movies. It gets done!
Top Ten Reasons to Partner with Someone - To learn more about this author, visit Alvah Parker's Website.
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