LEADERSHIP: WHO’S YOUR "OTHER HALF"?

Published: 2011-01-24   There are 6 comments ... please add yours below

You can be a winner if you supplement your own skills via partnerships with others
not falling for the egotistical fallacy of the solo hero, imaging you can do it all yourself

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards still work together. It’s a legendary, 50-year partnership. Even if at one time Mick “took care of the details” while Keith “took the drugs”. A recent Economist article* highlights the power of this and other successful pairings. Buffett and Munger at Berkshire Hathaway. Bill and Melinda Gates in their foundation. Rupert Murdoch and a number of lieutenants over the decades at News. But, what’s the wider point? Knowing your weaknesses and ensuring you have others providing the ying to your yang. As a leader, how well covered are you? Here are eight things to check.

A great partner shares your vision but provides alternate views on how to get there. Their role may be overt, as above, or more covert as with a trusted PA. So, which of the following balancing roles are you most lacking at present? Someone to be your

  • Sweeper: tidying up loose ends, ensuring decisions or ideas are followed through. Is your assistant or administrator filling that role? Or, do things slip through the cracks?
  • Peace-keeper: smoothing the feathers when you’ve gone over the top, been too demanding or had a falling out. Who walks the floors and makes people feel OK again?
  • Confidante: helping explore your wild ideas but also playing devil’s advocate – challenging your thinking. Is this one or more of your senior team?
  • Truth-speaker: really pushing back when you’re off the rails. Who has the courage for this role – the willingness to put their job and friendship on the block?
  • Communicator: interpreting your visionary speech. Who translates what it all means for the business model, for people’s roles – and gives people clarity?
  • Spine-stiffener: not letting you step back from tough decisions that have to be made. Is this your chairman, your wife or husband, one of your team or who?
  • Conscience: making sure the end doesn’t start to justify the means. Keeping you from cutting corners. Do you allow anyone to call you on your values?
  • Blood brother or sister: willing to take a bullet for you. Who is going to stand up there with you when the going gets tough – and cover your back?

If you want to succeed, particularly over the long haul, you need one or more “other halves”. However smart we are, we need to be challenged – and supported. Please share below your thoughts on this topic, in particular any areas you feel you’ve got covered – or not!

* http://www.economist.com/node/17461585?story_id=17461585

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Dr. Timothy Pascoe AM
PhD (Cambridge), MBA (Harvard), BE & BEc (Adelaide)
Creator, V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership®



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Comments (6)

Timothy Pascoe - date: 2011/03/15 03:47 pm


Dear Kurt,

As you say, partnership is critical.

Even though I'm in many ways a lone wolf (I've been in business on my own for over a quarter of a century now), my key successes in business and life have come from close partnerships. Sometimes, these have been with another individual - for example, with my wife domestically (for over 40 years) or with Langdon, my tech guy, (for nearly a decade now) in bringing my VECTOR tool to life online. Sometimes, with another organisation - for example, highly productive long-term associations with a single client team or organisation.

I like to do key parts of the work in the quietness of my own space and with my own approaches. But manifesting something of value requires partnerships of one kind or another.

Best wishes and again thank you.

Timothy

Kurt Rieger - date: 2011/03/15 09:04 am

Thanks to you and your team - that inspiration so essential in keeping the 'spirit' in focus.
Partnership/team is the most complex of human relations in a world that is becoming more complex by the day. Personally I have been a lone wolf in my R&D (integral quantitative/qualitative research into managing high tech complex automation systems and its effects on management and more importantly the consequences on and of society at large the visa versa). This phase has come to an end and a new phase is emerging at the end of the loneliness of the long distance runner. What I have learned in my life cycle of learning is that Knowledge comes to me when I need it dont ask me how but it does. This is one of those instances where knowledge in context is critical to growth in me, business and partnership. I have also been my own devils advocate every attempt to destroy my system failed multiple partnerships are emerging though partiipation and sharing in LinkedIn and this is one of these instances. Three of the eight 'key words' are on the agenda.
Thanks again to all participants

Timothy Pascoe - date: 2011/01/27 10:27 am


Dear Phadke,

Many thanks for your kind comments - and for spreading the Potshot through your own network.

Timothy

Timothy Pascoe - date: 2011/01/27 10:13 am


Dear Kari,

As you say, it's not easy to find those "other halves". Or, to keep them.

In response to this Potshot, someone made a cynical remard (offline) that Rupert Murdoch (whom I mentioned) has discarded a number of partners - domestical and commercial. However, his core relationships (in both arenas) have in many cases lasted much longer than those that others enjoy - whether in marriage or business. And, one must remember, he's been in the game a long time.

Personally, I've had a few long business relationships - and also a long marriage. If I've learnt anything from all these, it's the importance of not just initial but also ongoing care, investment and attention. Including repair work, if (like me) you sometimes put too much strain on your relationships.

Timothy

Phadke Subodhkumar Narayan - date: 2011/01/26 02:36 am

Namaste sir,

This is really out of the box and thinking feed. Reading for the first time. And while reading, realised how important each point are.

Tons of thanks for sharing the other side of the coin of business.

I am going to share this article with all my beloved ones in my motherland India to empower. I am not sure how many are aware of this subject. But I am going to do that task to empower each one of them.

I thank you for this lovely & intelligent knowledge.

Sincerely I remain,

Phadke

Kari Nysted - date: 2011/01/25 08:23 pm

Great article - so true that we as a human being do not exist better and more fully than in the relationship with others, with their facet of strengths.
On the other hand also so difficult to implement other halfs on many levels. First and foremost finding those ideal other halfs can take time. Especially in practical experience along side reflection and personal learnings.

Your article inspired new thinking and a new perspective on the subject. Thank you.


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