We recently read through Stephen Covey’s book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The truths laid out in this book, written over 30 years ago, have transformed how we think about personal growth, company growth, and, yes, even partnerships. As we grow at CoPort, seeking to help companies grow through partnerships, we took the content in that timeless book and applied it to what we do everyday.

We're going to take the next several blogs to lay out each habit, provide inspiration, and then give practical application so you, and I, can grow as partner leaders. 

Because we know that when we get better with partnerships, our companies win.

Think Win-Win

“Win/Win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions…Win/Win is based on the paradigm that there is plenty for everybody, that one person’s success is not achieved at the expense or exclusion of the success of others…It’s not your way or my way; it’s a better way, a higher way.” - Stephen Covey

Partnerships require mutual benefit in order to succeed, otherwise, they’re not a partnership. Partnerships require two, or more, parties to work together towards a mutually agreed upon goal that matters to both sides. Notice, the goal doesn’t have to be the same goal, but the results must benefit both sides of the partnership. That’s the beauty of Win/Win. You are doing the work to make sure the win is mutually beneficial, because it can be—it’s a belief that both sides can win, and both sides can contribute.

We’ve all seen partnerships that are lopsided, living in a Win/Lose paradigm that only lasts for a short time. It can look like a small company always asking the larger company for leads because well, they’re the larger company. It can be the large company exploiting the smallness of their partner to give them favorable terms. We agree to these partnerships, but they don’t last for long.

Doing the work of creating a Win/Win partnership starts with the groundwork of the first three habits. If we haven’t done the work of proactivity, building our mission statement, and scheduling our priorities, then the Win/Win has no foundation to be built. When we’ve done the internal work, then we have the capacity to see the “better” way.

After all, partnerships are the better together story, aren’t they?

Application

• Schedule your annual planning session to communicate the goals and desires of both sides of the partnership.
• Be courageous to communicate your desires and expectations, and leave room for considering others’ needs and goals too.
• Go out of your way to help elevate your partner in the eyes of your company. Give the extra lead, go the extra mile. When our partners win, we win, too.
• Evaluate your system. You will receive what you reward. If you’re not satisfied with the results, make sure your compensation and your goals are complimentary.