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High-Performance Partnerships - National Academy of Public ...

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FIGURE 10-2<br />

PHASES OF LEADERSHIP<br />

Management Skills<br />

"There's a Crisis"<br />

"Let's get moving"<br />

"We need standard<br />

operating procedures"<br />

"Check with<br />

the Customers"<br />

"Let's reorganize"<br />

"Follow Me"<br />

"Mentoring is<br />

my Job"<br />

Leadership Skills<br />

"Yeah Team!"<br />

Start Up<br />

Mid-life<br />

(Development)<br />

Mature<br />

Source: John Lesko, Facilitator<br />

ance track record and independent funding<br />

streams. During this period, it is working to<br />

stabilize its resource base, grow to scale, evaluate<br />

outcomes and processes, and increase cost<br />

effectiveness.<br />

By the time the partnership delivers its services<br />

and programs to scale, its revenue base should<br />

be more stable. It should have established a<br />

track record and be positioned to attract<br />

stronger members and more funding. Fewer<br />

resources should be invested in building relationships<br />

and an organizational infrastructure.<br />

COMMUNICATIONS<br />

A partnership initially focuses its communications<br />

strategies on building support among its<br />

members, funders, and external stakeholders.<br />

Young partnerships may have difficulty communicating<br />

their message because they may<br />

not yet be clear on mission and goals. Yet<br />

communications are critical to generate sufficient<br />

support to obtain funding and member<br />

buy-in. Communications are more intense<br />

and critical to secure lasting relationships that<br />

will be the basis for the long-term partnership.<br />

Communications channels are less formal and<br />

more focused on the need for the partnership,<br />

not results.<br />

As the partnership enters its operational/developmental<br />

phase, communications channels<br />

become more formalized and varied.<br />

Newsletters, brochures, annual reports, and<br />

other materials should be available for electronic<br />

and print distribution. In addition, the<br />

partnership can report its results. Recognizing<br />

its good work can become a major focal point<br />

when customer and stakeholder communications<br />

are established. Closing the feedback<br />

loop and acting on input are critical activities<br />

during the mid-life period.<br />

Once the partnership reaches maturity, communications<br />

channels should be very formalized,<br />

with annual reports, routine meetings <strong>of</strong><br />

the governing body, partners, and staff, and<br />

institutionalized customer feedback loops.<br />

The challenge <strong>of</strong> keeping stakeholders<br />

informed never dissipates entirely, but it<br />

should become easier once the institutional<br />

framework is in place.<br />

121 Powering the Future: <strong>High</strong>-<strong>Performance</strong> <strong>Partnerships</strong>

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