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While those at the NSO saw the opportunity existed, they were quick to note that
the PSF could also learn from the relationship, displaying what could be called symmetrical
learning. NSO3 quoted:
[T]here’s certainly some stuff that the [PSF] are doing as a professional club that
we’d like to put in place. And certainly the [PSF] have worked with us surrounding
some international trends and what’s happening internationally, with [the sport].
(personal communication, April 22, 2008)
NSO2 also supported this symmetrical learning:
[L]earning can go both ways. And I think that, because in [the NSO], although it is
a non-profit organisation, it’s got a lot of professional people working for the
organisation, so I think the you know the learning can go both ways, and should go
both ways. I think both organisations can benefit from learning, from each other.
(personal communication, April 21, 2008)
It would appear that the NSO as an organisation was intent on learning from the
PSF. Only NSO5 expressed an organisational view of limited intent by replying, “up until
now they [the NSO] wouldn’t have looked at it like that” (personal communication, June 3,
2008).
It would even appear that a learning intent had been discussed within the
organisation. When speaking about the organisation, in terms of staff, NSO1 mentioned
“they’re all very motivated, and I’ve spoken with them all about their own specific and
personal objectives, and they’re very much in that learning mode. So I think enthusiastic is
a very appropriate word for them” (personal communication, April 18, 2008). When further
pressed on whether the NSO was doing all it could to learn from the PSF, the overall
response was - no. NSO1 expanded on this point:
[P]robably not, probably not to date and there’s probably more we can do. In an
ideal world, I’d like to my staff interacting on a regular basis with them and then
coming into our office and doing bits and pieces, but that’s the thing that will come
over time as we strengthen the partnership relationship. (personal communication,
April 18, 2008)
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