Partnerships are a vital element in today's complex world, where solving problems and creating meaningful change requires cooperation and collaboration across different sectors and stakeholders. However, partnerships are not easy to create, maintain, and scale up, as they involve diverse perspectives, interests, and power dynamics. That's where a Partnership Broker comes in, as a skilled and ethical guide, facilitator, navigator, coach, and challenger.
A Partnership Broker is not a neutral mediator but an active and intentional facilitator and guide of partnerships that can deliver positive outcomes for all parties involved. The Partnership Broker works closely with partners to establish and maintain strong relationships, create a shared vision and goals, identify and overcome barriers, and build trust and mutual respect. The Partnership Broker should be skilled in negotiation, communication, conflict resolution, strategic thinking, and problem-solving, and should be able to adapt to different cultural and contextual environments.
The Partnership Broker's role is not to impose their own agenda or preferences but to support partners in achieving their objectives in a sustainable and ethical manner. The Partnership Broker should be committed to seven ethical practices that guide their work and ensure they remain principled and accountable.
1. Be principled and accountable: The Partnership Broker should adhere to high ethical standards and professional conduct. They should act with integrity, honesty, and transparency and be accountable for their actions and decisions. The Partnership Broker should be aware of their own biases and limitations and strive to overcome them to ensure fairness and equity in partnerships.
2. Allocate regular time for reflection: The Partnership Broker should regularly reflect on their role and practice, seeking feedback and learning from their experiences. Reflection enables the Partnership Broker to evaluate their effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and enhance their skills and knowledge.
3. Push boundaries: The Partnership Broker should challenge partners to think creatively and innovatively, exploring new ideas and solutions. They should not accept the status quo and instead push boundaries to achieve greater impact and sustainability in partnerships.
4. Build skill and confidence in others: The Partnership Broker should be a coach and mentor, supporting partners to develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence. They should enable partners to take ownership of the partnership and to work collaboratively and effectively.
5. Enhance our own skills and knowledge: The Partnership Broker should continually enhance their skills and knowledge, seeking out new learning opportunities and staying up to date with best practices and emerging trends. They should invest in their own professional development and seek out opportunities to learn from others.
6. Acknowledge our assumptions and biases: The Partnership Broker should be aware of their own assumptions and biases and actively seek to challenge them. They should recognize that everyone has biases and that these can impact the partnership's success. The Partnership Broker should work to ensure that all voices are heard, and that diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the partnership's values and practices.
7. Let go when the time is right: The Partnership Broker should recognize when their role is no longer needed and be prepared to step back from the partnership. They should ensure that partners are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to sustain the partnership and achieve its objectives.
The importance of Partnership Brokers and their ethical approach to guiding and supporting partnerships cannot be overstated. Partnerships can be complex, challenging, and messy, and require skilled facilitation and guidance to ensure they deliver positive outcomes. Partnership Brokers bring valuable skills and expertise to partnerships, enabling partners to work collaboratively and effectively to achieve their objectives. By adhering to ethical principles and practices, Partnership Brokers can ensure that partnerships are grounded in trust, respect, and mutual benefit, and that they contribute to sustainable and positive change.
Partnership Brokers play a critical role in creating and sustaining effective partnerships, and their ethical approach to guiding and supporting partnerships is essential to achieving positive outcomes for all involved. Up your partnership skills and knowledge by signing up for one of the Partnership Brokers Training courses being offered in Canada. For more information visit: https://jsdaw.com/training