Partnering for High Performance

The concept of partnering transcends teamwork and implies a degree of autonomy, discretion, equality, openness, power and ownership which blurs traditional management-employee boundaries. Partners are not simply loyal team members; they are co-stewards of the organization’s Mission and Vision, and readily accept responsibility for its vitality. Building collaborative working relationships with employees creates the ultimately engaged employee, i.e., the employee who treats the business as though he owns it. In addition to partnerships among team members and their supervisor, such relations can develop among departments who readily share their resources and create synergies. The real power of an organization exists in fostering partnerships among employees at all levels.

5 ways to foster partnering in your organization:

1. Share current and projected financial information with your employees, allow them to see the big picture of the organization.
2. Show a good example by sharing information and/or resources with other departments or groups within your organization.
3. Actively involve your employees in hiring decisions.
4. Seek timely feedback from your internal and external clients about yourself, your group and your staff.
5. Most importantly, give your employees the necessary authority and decision making responsibility. Allow them to have ownership of their work.