By Melissa Porteous and James Chapman.
The strongest partnerships, like the sturdiest houses, are built with care and maintained through teamwork. You begin by assembling a skilled team, each member bringing unique expertise to the table. Together, you design and construct your partnership’s foundation and framework.
But the real work begins after the ‘grand opening’. Just as homeowners face leaky roofs and creaky floorboards, partnerships encounter unexpected challenges. Long-term success lies in how you handle these issues – fixing problems, making improvements, and sometimes even remodelling entirely.
Without regular maintenance, problems arise. Power imbalances can breed resentment, inefficient work processes can stifle progress, mismanagement can erode trust, and a failure to deliver equitable value can leave partners disengaged. These challenges, often subtle at first, can gradually undermine the foundation of any partnership, threatening its very existence.
So what are partnership health checks? They are comprehensive assessments designed to evaluate the effectiveness of how partners work together. They go beyond examining what a partnership does, focusing instead on how it operates through a mix of desktop research, surveys, in-depth interviews, and collaborative workshops. They aim to reaffirm the fundamental aspects of the partnership – its vision, mission, and collaborative advantage – while uncovering any tensions or issues in a constructive, non-confrontational manner. By providing a neutral, third-party facilitated process, health checks help partners understand each other’s perspectives, identify misunderstandings, highlight areas of alignment, and develop strategies to address challenges.
At The Partnering Initiative, we’ve conducted numerous health checks across various sectors. These assessments have provided us with valuable insights into the inner workings of partnerships and the common challenges they face. Here are five key lessons we’ve learned from our extensive experience:
1. Prevention is better than cure
Implementing routine health checks demonstrates a commitment to the partnership’s wellbeing. It sets a tone of openness and care, encouraging all partners – especially those who may feel less powerful – to voice their concerns. This proactive approach is not only more cost-effective in the long run but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and mutual respect.
2. The process can be uncomfortable, but it’s worth it
Health checks can be daunting. They require partners to be vulnerable, to openly discuss challenges, and to confront potential issues. However, we’ve consistently found that the process ultimately leaves everyone feeling more empowered and engaged.
The key is to create a non-threatening environment where issues can be depersonalised and discussed objectively. We emphasise confidentiality and non-attribution in our process, which encourages honest feedback. By appreciating that all partners are trying their best within complex situations, we can focus on constructive solutions rather than blame.
3. Small problems often mask bigger issues
What initially appears to be a minor operational hiccup can often be symptomatic of more fundamental problems. For instance, seemingly trivial complaints about meeting schedules may reflect deeper issues of power imbalance or misaligned priorities.
This is why health checks are a comprehensive process rather than a simple conversation. By delving deeper through surveys, interviews, and workshops, we can uncover the root causes of partnership challenges. Understanding the full context of frustrations or ill feelings is crucial for developing effective solutions.
4. There’s an overwhelming enthusiasm for improvement
One of the most inspiring aspects of conducting health checks is witnessing the genuine enthusiasm partners have for resolving issues. Even in partnerships where we’ve been warned about potential resistance, we’ve found that people are incredibly generous with their time and honest in their responses.
This willingness to engage and improve often surprises the partners themselves, reaffirming our belief that it is the collaborative mindset that underpins successful partnerships. The eagerness to address challenges head-on and find innovative solutions is a testament to the commitment of those working in cross-sector collaborations.
5. Expect the unexpected
Perhaps the most consistent lesson we’ve learned is to always expect surprises. Initial scoping interviews might point strongly in one direction, but the full health check process often reveals entirely different issues.
This unpredictability stems from the inherent complexity of partnerships. Each partner brings their own perspective, shaped by their organisational culture, priorities, and experiences. As a result, what appears evident from one standpoint may be markedly different from another, highlighting the importance of thorough assessment and open communication throughout the process.
As partnerships continue to play a crucial role in addressing complex global challenges, regular health checks are not just beneficial—they’re essential. They help prevent crises, foster open communication, uncover root issues, harness partners’ enthusiasm for improvement, and reveal unexpected insights.
Aside from detecting issues with the partnership, health checks offer stakeholders a chance to acknowledge and learn from areas of the partnership that are excelling, acting as a catalyst for continuous improvement and ensuring that partnerships not only survive but thrive in the face of evolving challenges.
By implementing regular health checks, you’re not just maintaining your partnership; you’re nurturing its growth, adaptability, and impact.
Remember, a healthy partnership is not just about what you achieve together—it’s about how you work together to achieve it. Invest in your partnership’s health, and the returns will be immeasurable.
Visit our partnership health check page.
