Anytime we undertake a partnership journey we need to remember that there’s always going to be challenges – some will be small annoyances and others just big messes. Little challenges, big challenges, they are inevitable – always!
No partnership is perfect, no one undertakes them without a challenges or setback. That’s a good thing! Challenges when addressed effectively are great learning experiences, a way to improve the partnership and partnership work. As the German philosopher, Frederich Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger”.
We must accept challenges are just part of partnering. It’s the reason we need to get good at embracing the fear and tolerating the ambiguity and likelihood of partnership tensions. Challenges can help with continuous improvement to the partnership – if we let them.
The question becomes do we reflect on and share our challenges? Do we just pretend they didn’t happen - ignore them or sweep them under the carpet, hoping no one has noticed so we can just move on?
Another way to think about them is as important learning from the hard work of tackling societal challenges with others instead of alone. Our stories based on challenges can help others on their collaboration journeys as they seek new solutions and better results to our shared intractable problems. Paulo Coelho in his book The Alchemist has a great line. He tells us we need to “wear our scars like medals.”
Many of us try to hide those scars. But the courageous among us KNOW that you can’t go on an unknown journey without having some grazes and wounds. It’s part of the experience and learning – part of the great adventure. The courageous wear them like a badge of honour.
“Got that one as we tried a new approach – went south, but hey what an adventure and learning.” Do you have any partnership grazes and wounds you’ve been hiding? Now’s a good time to remember, reflect and record them. You can use the worksheet below! We’d love you to share (anonymously or not) your partnership badges of honour – for the benefit of those who come after you!