The Three Pillars of Successful Collaborations

Collaboration is the fuel of innovation, but not all partnerships are created equal. In my journey, both as a former rock radio DJ and as a doctor of physical therapy, I've discovered the essence of what makes collaborations not just work, but thrive. Today, I'm sharing my three non-negotiable pillars that guide me in choosing who I work with.

Remember, if it's not fun, the creative energy just isn't there.

Section 1: Fun - The Heartbeat of Creativity Fun is where it starts. But it's not just about laughter and enjoyment; it's about feeling a deep sense of excitement and anticipation for the project. I always ask myself, 'Am I 100% excited about this?' If the answer isn't a resounding yes, it's a clear no. Remember, if it's not fun, the creative energy just isn't there.

Early on in my PT Podcast career I was tasked with having to combine a sponsor into the show for EVERY episode. How could I do this and now make it monotonous? I injected fun.

We teamed up with johnny owens with Owens Recovery Science, Inc to include them in every single episode. But how would we do that and make it feel like it fit? We added fun. We paired ORS with our first question on every episode... "What are you having to drink?!" We crafted "The First Round" and for more than 1,000 episodes, they've been paired with that feature. We were "allowed" to add "fun" to how we brought them into the show and 4+ million downloads later, it's still going.

Social Media Isn't A Verb.

Section 2: Shared Vision - Aligning for Success "A shared vision is crucial for success. Our goals and definitions of success need to align perfectly. It's this alignment that transforms hard work into passion. I’ve experienced firsthand how working on something that doesn't resonate with your values feels more like stress than fulfillment.

I've worked with an org (that will remain nameless) who wanted me to "do" social media. My response, "Social Media isn't a verb..." I made the monumental mistake of starting to work with them BEFORE we had a shared vision. We didn't see eye to eye on WHAT, WHY, HOW or WHEN things would happen. And once that horse is out of the barn, it's never going back in.

If I'm micromanaged or doubted, the magic fades.

Section 3: Trust - The Foundation of Empowerment Trust is about believing in each other's capabilities. It's not just hiring smart people; it's about letting them lead the way with their expertise. In my projects, I bring my unique skills - what I like to call 'Jimmy Magic.' If I'm micromanaged or doubted, the magic fades. Trust is the bedrock that allows creativity and expertise to flourish.

"Creative people need time to do nothing... that's when something happens."

I heard a quote recently that illustrates this perfectly, "Creative people need time to do nothing... that's when something happens." It's in most of our natures to "get right to work" but starting without a goal is wasted energy. Trust from Robert Rowe at the APTA Orthopaedic has led to an ongoing collaboration that has more than 3 million downloads behind it for 2+ years. At first, I didn't know exactly how to incorporate them into what I did, and my knee jerk reaction was to give them "SOMETHING". But I held my tongue and waited... and that's when I found their thing. Which was a feature we've run more than 4 million times, "The Parting Shot".

Today's Parting Shot: These three pillars – Fun, Shared Vision, and Trust – have been my guiding stars in choosing the right collaborations. They’ve never steered me wrong.

Now, I turn the question to you: What are your top criteria for choosing your collaborations? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s learn from each other and grow together.

Call to Action: I'd love to learn from you, share your experiences, and don’t forget to connect with me for more insights and discussions on successful collaborations.