I Meet With More Than 1,000 People Every Month. Here Are 5 Ways I Can Tell Immediately If I Want To Partner With Them. Here's how I learned to quickly recognize the personal qualities that make for a successful business partnership.
By John Rampton Edited by Mark Klekas
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Over the years, I have learned what qualities make a successful business partnership. How? Well, each month, I meet with more than 1,000 people. That may sound overwhelming. But, to ensure I'm not wasting my time, here are five ways to instantly know if someone is the right partner.
1. They're passionate about what they do
"The best partnerships aren't dependent on a more common goal but on a shared path of equality, desire, and no small amount of passion." — Sarah MacLean
Yes, this may seem obvious. However, the most important thing is to find a partner who is passionate about what they do. Ultimately, when someone is passionate about what they do, it shows. They're also more likely to be creative, innovative, and passionate.
How to spot it. Listen to how they describe their work. Are they engaged and excited? Can they clearly describe what they hope to accomplish? If so, they're probably passionate about what they do.
Related: Struggling With Productivity? You Just Need to Give Yourself Fewer Options.
2. They have a shared vision
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." — Helen Keller
A partnership must be based on a shared vision to succeed. However, this does not mean that you must agree on everything. Nevertheless, you should have a shared vision of what you want in the long run.
How to spot it. Find out what their business or project goals are. What are they trying to accomplish? Do they see their work as contributing to the greater good? You're on the right track if your goals align with theirs.
3. They have strong communication skills
"Communication sometimes is not what you first hear, listen not just to the words, but listen for the reason." -- Michelle Lederman
The key to a successful partnership is communication. Partners must communicate effectively and clearly with each other verbally and in writing. Additionally, they should be able to listen to each other's feedback.
How to spot it. During your 1-on-1 meeting, please pay attention to their communication style. How clear and concise are they? Are they actively listening to what you're saying? Are they asking clarifying questions? A good communicator will be evident to you.
Related: Communication Tips 7 Entrepreneurs and Leaders Wish They'd Known in Their Early 20s
4. They are reliable and trustworthy
"Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships." — Stephen Covey
For a partnership to be successful, you need to trust your partner to keep their commitments. In other words, they must be dependable, trustworthy, and accountable.
How to spot it. Inquire about their past partnership experiences. Did they fulfill their commitments? Did they prove to be reliable and trustworthy? You can trust them to do the same for you if they have a successful track record of partnering.
5. They're a good fit for your culture
"Organizational culture is the Five Ps of an organization: its purpose, philosophy, priorities, practices, and projections." — Sheila Margolis
The people you partner with should share your values and work style. Doing this will allow you to collaborate more effectively and build a more successful relationship.
How to spot it. Take note of their values and working style. Is their vision aligned with yours? Is working with them comfortable for you? They will likely fit into your culture if this is the case.
Related: The 4 Key Tenets of Every Successful Partnership
Bonus tip: Trust your gut
There are times when you know when someone is going to be a good partner for you. Even if someone does not check the above boxes, consider a partnership with them if you have a good feeling about them.
Related: Want to Do Better Work? Just Start Saying This One Word More.
People are the key to great business
Partnering with the right people is essential if you want to succeed. These tips will help you find partners who are passionate, aligned, communicative, trustworthy, reliable, and an excellent cultural fit.
Here are some additional thoughts on how to apply these tips in your 1-on-1 meetings:
- Ask open-ended questions. Putting yourself in their shoes will help you better understand their goals, values, and working style.
- Pay attention to their body language and tone of voice. A person's character can be revealed a lot through subtle cues like these.
- Listen carefully to their answers. Wait your turn to speak, but don't just sit there. Listen carefully to what they say and try to understand what they mean.
- Ask clarifying questions. You shouldn't be afraid to ask questions if you're unsure about something.
Keeping a brief record of your impressions after each meeting can be helpful if you meet with many potential partners. By comparing different candidates, you can make a more informed decision.
Creating partnerships can help you achieve your goals and grow your business. It is easy to identify potential partners if you follow these tips to assess them and identify the most suitable for you quickly.
