To Expand Your Potential, Find a Partner

On a trip to Nashville last week, I got to experience an evening in which three songwriters took turns telling the story behind one of their hit songs, and then played the song for us.

I learned just how collaborative the songwriting process can be. These writers rarely work alone. ?

One person might bring a catchy guitar riff or a few lines of a lyric without the music to back it up. Then, in groups of two or three, they experiment until a finished song emerges.

Our traditional business culture doesn’t always acknowledge the value of partnerships, but if you look around the edges of our society—especially in creative fields and the startup world— you will observe many compelling reasons to seek out a partner.

A partner brings different perspectives and experiences. When you’re stuck, they can give you a fresh idea or a different way of looking at things.

A partner can challenge and inspire you.

They can fill gaps in your skillset or take on a complementary role. They can help carry the load when you are overwhelmed.

They can point out your distinctive capabilities and your blind spots, thereby helping you become more self-aware.?

Partnerships such as Warren Buffett has with his vice chairman, Charlie Munger, or like Mark Zuckerberg had with Sheryl Sandberg can flourish for many years. However, entering into a partnership need not be a long-term commitment. Any business endeavor or volunteer initiative can benefit from a partnership, which may last a few hours or a few months.?

Of course, you will need to invest in and contribute to any partnership you enter. But that in itself--the act of contributing--is often rewarding in itself.??

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Amanda Setili helps successful leaders and their teams agree on what needs to change and how to make it happen. She is author of?Fearless?Growth:?The New Rules to Stay Competitive, Foster Innovation, and Dominate Your Markets, and?The Agility Advantage, How to Identify and Act On Opportunities in a Fast-Changing World.?

For more strategies, videos and free materials, please visit?www.setili.com, and check out these quick examples of the type of work we do. Or listen to the Fearless Growth Podcast.

?Contact?Amanda?to discuss how she works with companies to improve profits, performance and growth.