ICR Digital Library

The Art of Partnering

B. Curtis Hamm, Ph.D.

Prague, Czech Republic, October 2004

 

PART I  -  Initial Issues

A.  Introduction: The Art of Partnering

            1.  Rhinoceros - with whom do they partner?

                

            2. The drama “Outcast”: What is a volleyball?

 

            3.  What were your perceptions of the volleyball when you first saw it?

            _________________________________________________

            4.  What were T. H.’s perception of the volleyball?

            _________________________________________________

             5. What did we learn from the movie about partnering (spoken and unspoken)?        

                       _________________________________________________

            6.  What are the A, B, C’s of partnering?

                        A._______________________________________________

                       

                        B._______________________________________________

 

                        C._______________________________________________

 

B.    The Need for Partnering

1.  EXERCISE: THE WET TOWEL

 

            2.  The power of synergism is________________________________

 

3.  Who are your future partners? _____________________________

 

C.   Partner Communications: Purpose of Partnering

 

1.      What is the purpose of our partnering with _____? (choose one: work, marriage,

business, church, or non-profit organization, supplier, customers, spouse).  Write one sentence which best expresses the purpose of your partnering with ________.  

_________________________________________________________________

 

                  _________________________________________________________________

 

            2.  Put your sentence on paper.

 

            3.  Compare your answer with those of your partners that are present.

                        Similarities____________________________________________

 

                        Differences____________________________________________

 

4.      What questions should you ask potential partners before getting involved?

        _____________________________________________________

 

                                                        ____________________________________________________

 

            5.  Who had an exact match?  Why do you think perfect matches happen? 

                         _____________________________________________________

 

D.    Consider how DEEP (Relationship) and WIDE (Time) you want this partnership

 to be?____________________________________________                           _ 

   

1.      Approximately how many times each week will you need to have a formal

conversation?________

            2.  How much time do you need together each:

                        _____Day      _____Week   _____Month

 

            3.  Will you talk about professional and personal issues?   ______

 

            4.  Will you spend some of your leisure time together? ________

 

            5.  What are the significant Risks in this partnership?

 

                                    Career_________

                                    Personal_______

 

                                    Financial_______

 

E.  What is the best way to manage our partnership conflicts?

______________________________________________________

           

______________________________________________________

 PART II - The Model of Partnering

 

F.  Discussion of The Partnership Model EXERCISE: Partnering Strengths

 

            1. __________________________________________________________

 

            2. __________________________________________________________

 

            3. __________________________________________________________

 

            4. __________________________________________________________

                       

            5. __________________________________________________________

 

G.  Cast a Vision: Anchor Reality: EXERCISE

 

            1.  Write a Vision Statement:        __________________________________

 

            _____________________________________________________________

 

            _____________________________________________________________

 

            2.  Share your statement with your group which can help identify areas of concern.

            3.  What strengths does your partner need to help you achieve your Vision?

                                   

             ___________  ______________  _____________  ______________

 

            4.  Characteristics of Partners

                        A. ___________________________________

                        B. ___________________________________

                        C. ___________________________________

                        D. ___________________________________

                        E. ___________________________________

                        F. ___________________________________

                        G. ___________________________________

H.    Becoming a more effective Partner: EXERCISE: Brainstorming Session: How can we

create a partnering culture in organizations to which we belong?

                        1. ____________________________________ 

                        2.  ____________________________________

                         3.  ____________________________________

                         4.  ____________________________________

I.       EXERCISE: Write a Partnering Agreement including: Purpose, Resolving Conflict, Relationships.

 ________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

 

J.   Managing Change:

 

1.      What are the major significant emotional events facing you or your organization

in the next year? ________________________________________________

                        ____________________________________________________________

2.  What are the methods which you intend to use to manage change?

                        _________________________________________________________

                                                            _________________________________________________________

                        _________________________________________________________

 

K.  Personal Assessment of Cultural Differences that affect how people cope with change.

            EXERCISE: Complete the Turn Offs handout

            “Life is not so much marked by a calendar as a scrap book.”

L.  Respecting Cultural differences: Discussion

 

PART III - The Tough Issues

 

M.  Dissolving a Partnership: EXERCISE: What are the key  issues in terminating a relationship? _______________   _________________   _______________

 

N.  The Essence of Partnership: THE REST OF THE STORY- Who needs a partner?

 

            1.  Do I have to like my partners?

 

          2.  What really makes partnerships work?

 

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