As a coalition, it can be easy to be overcommitted (which we talked about as our Partnership Pitfall #2). A related pitfall happens when we communicate to our partners and stakeholders that we can do more than we can actually do. In our enthusiasm (and sometimes our people-pleasing tendencies), we can communicate unrealistic expectations and […]
Partnership Pitfall #7: Overselling and Under delivering Read More »
This week’s pitfall is connected to last week’s post on self interest vs. group interest. If you have ever struggled with which logos to put on a document or whose name goes first on a document, you have likely experienced the challenge of “sharing credit.” If specific organizations attempt to take credit for the coalition’s
Partnership Pitfall #6: Taking credit vs. sharing credit Read More »
Happy Thanksgiving! This week’s post can apply to our coalition work and our family dynamics as well. 🙂 Coalition building is all about finding “win-win” opportunities for your coalition members and the coalition’s purpose. In order to attract organizations to be part of a coalition, there need to be clear benefits for each organization to
Partnership Pitfall #5: Self interest vs. Group Interest Read More »
Last week, we focused on the partnership pitfall of unrealistic expectations for coalition members. As you reflected on the types of roles that may be unrealistic, you may have realized that you also are experiencing the next “partnership pitfall” related to unclear roles and responsibilities. As a coalition leader, it is easy to “assume” that
Partnership Pitfall #4: Unclear roles and responsibilities Read More »
Are you struggling with coalition engagement? Do you get frustrated when your coalition members are not doing as much as you would like them to do? One of the most challenging aspects of coalition and partnership building is that most coalition members are serving as volunteers with the coalition. Although some members will be more
Partnership Pitfall #3: Unrealistic expectations for coalition members vs. staff Read More »
If you are leading a coalition, there are likely many more needs than you, your staff and your coalition can meet. Part of the reason you are doing this work is because you want to help people and make a difference. Do you find that you cannot follow-up on your existing commitments? Do you look
Partnership Pitfall #2: Overcommitted Read More »
As a coalition or partnership, you likely have a mission statement, perhaps a vision and values, but do you have a clear purpose statement? As a coalition leader, you likely want to do a lot of different things and address many different needs related to your topic area or cause. This can be really exciting
Partnership Pitfall #1: Unclear Purpose Read More »
When leading coalitions and partnerships, sometimes getting groups of people to work together happens fairly easily and other times it seems impossible. Since our coalitions and partnerships involve passionate people with different perspectives and personalities working together, there are many potential barriers, obstacles or challenges that may prevent us successfully working together. As a coalition
10 Partnership Pitfalls Read More »
For the last 12 weeks, we have focused on managing and reacting to change. We continue to experience unprecedented change and will be practicing trying new things and making adjustments. For the last several days, I took time off work. I really stepped away and have not even checked email! I read some books, spent
Change: Do what fills your cup Read More »
We are all bombarded by requests for our time. During this time of continual change, it often takes more time than it used to in order to accomplish even the “little” things. When our colleagues, partners, coalitions, family members and friends ask us for something, we often have a sense of urgency in responding either
Change: Take the time to pause Read More »