How well do you take a partner's perspective into account?

Building Coalitions
Written By Stacia Aylward

The Challenge

Think about something that is really important to you or your team--perhaps something you are currently struggling with. Think about this same issue from the perspective of a customer/strategic partner inside your organization. How does this issue impact that party? Do they see the challenge and possible solutions differently than you do? Think about how you might approach your challenge differently based on the other's perspective. Are you open to making an adjustment in order to take that perspective into account?

Why do this?

Building partnerships requires you to be aware of the needs and perspectives of others, especially related to the common goals or challenges that you face. Support from others is garnered, in part, by your ability to take their perspectives into consideration.

This act is part of your long-term effort to develop the partners that you need on your side in order to achieve results.

What’s next?

After thinking it through on your own, schedule a discussion with this person to find out whether your assumptions were correct. 

Stacia Aylward

Zelos CEO Stacia C. Aylward is an executive leader and lifelong learner with broad professional experience in envisioning and leading programs, projects and teams; facilitating and teaching adults; conducting research; and developing client relationships using proven methodologies in many government and technical fields, including economics, education, healthcare, housing, non-profit governance, IT and law. Stacia holds a master’s degree in Communication and Information, a bachelor’s degree in English, a Six Sigma black belt certification, and a Coach Approach to Leadership credential.

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