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10 Practices for True Partnership

April 22, 2003

1. "Recognize that True Partnership must be generated.
It requires that we be accountable for the quality of our relationships, take the initiative in our actions, and move beyond the instinctive and inherited thinking of the drift.

2. Understand the power of context.
The particular frame of reference that shapes the way we perceive the world.

3. Expose the drift.
The instinctive and inherited context that shapes our relationships.

4. Focus on the relationship.
Rather than focusing on the differences between people and ranking individuals as superior or inferior, see the value of linking.

5. Quite trying to change people.
The quality of the connection is determined by the communication.

6. Listen Empathically
Listen to understand others' points of view.

7. Speak authentically.
Be open and honest in your communication.

8. Communicate from both-and.
Remember that there are many truths in any given situation.

9. Move beyond being right.
Take responsibility that your viewpoint is based merely on who you are and how you are observing what is actually happening through your filters.

10. Take a stand.
Commit yourself to act consistently (Zaiss, 2001, pp. 115-119)."

Reference:  Zaiss, C. (2001).  True partnership: revolutionary thinking about relating to others.  San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Are you following these True Partnership practices?

True Partnership is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center.  A complete listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu/

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Created: 2008-12-22, Updated: 2009-01-09