One partner is always missing deadlines. How can you salvage your partnership?

Put yourself in the partner's shoes. (showing empathy is the most important skill in nurturing partnerships) Have an open conversation with all the spocs in the partner's org. Then figure out why deadlines are being missed. Is it: expectations mismatch/ disorganisation, overcommitment, lack of funds/ resources/ skills, personal problems, macro-economic conditions etc. Work on how you can help the partner with the gap/ issue. For certain cases giving a helping hand (funds, resources etc) will solve the problem. If it is something from the partner's side (personal, macro-economic conditions) we will have to give them time.

When one partner keeps missing deadlines, it's important to talk about it openly and respectfully. Find out why they're missing deadlines and explain how it affects your partnership. Work together to set clear, doable deadlines for the future and check in regularly to see how things are going. By being clear and responsible, you can fix the partnership and make working together smoother.

No one knows the problems others are going through, and it's even harder to know in the workplace. However, we need results, but sometimes a supportive hand on the shoulder is the best remedy, more than pressure and demands.

What is agreed upon is not expensive. Be careful! Don't overpromise, don't hesitate to raise your hand when necessary, and don't expect things to fix themselves. Be proactive; every partnership needs to be win-win.

Check and double check. Setting up regular follow-ups to discuss progress and potential roadblocks is key to ensuring effective communication and early issue resolution.

While it’s tempting to step in and take on a partner’s workload with a “get it done” mentality in mind, be wary of this. This can be a very slippery slope toward imbalanced commitment. But, still support your counterpart as you’re able. Ask if they can at least deliver meaningful incremental progress. See if there are resources you have that might be helpful. Ask if you can appeal (or help them appeal) to their boss to get additional resources, allocate other work so they can focus on the partnership work, or to help clear bottlenecks. And, as a last result, consider adjusting the scope of what, in particular, they’ll deliver. A redux, if timely, may suffice and is certainly better than no output.

Provide additional resources or training to support your partner in managing deadlines better. Offering your assistance from time to time can also alleviate their workload, showcasing your commitment and teamwork.

The best incentive is recognition. It is important to publicly recognize your partner for a job well done. This will strengthen your trust and encourage other partners to work with you and exceed expectations.