Since coalition work involves working with people, there will always be conflict. 🙂 Conflict can be helpful, healthy and can aid the coalition in making better collective decisions. Unresolved conflict can be very destructive to a coalition and can erode trust and engagement. Conflict may be related to coalition decision-making, priority setting or among member […]
Partnership Pitfall #10: Unresolved conflict Read More »
One of the best ways to energize your coalition toward collective action is to identify passionate champions who can provide leadership, inspiration and energy to accomplish the collective goals and objectives. Sometimes, these passionate champions can be very loud and insistent on their way. If “their way” aligns well with the coalition interest overall, that
Partnership Pitfall #9: Letting the loudest voices get their way 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 »
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 »
As we are continuing to adapt and adjust to change, one of the most frustrating aspects of change is when we have a plan and that plan gets interrupted, changed or completely revised. My mom recently gave my daughter an old Weekly Reader book “Frog and Toad Together” and the first story is about Toad
Change: That wasn’t part of my plan! Read More »
As we are leading coalitions, groups or teams, there is a common misperception that we have to be the ones to “do it all.” We may find ourselves overwhelmed and overburdened and cannot see how it would be possible for anyone else to fulfill our roles and responsibilities. Alternatively, we may be hesitant to ask
Change: Ask for help! Read More »
Over the past several weeks, we have focused on setting priorities, dealing with disappointment related to priorities and staying focused on priorities. One of the best ways we can stay focused on our priorities is to set realistic action items so that we are making progress on our priorities. I don’t know about you, but
Coalition Building: Realistic Action Items Read More »