Death by meeting?

Ever heard the phrase “death by meeting”? Some days, I find it difficult to motivate myself to brainstorm partnership ideas with another organization, knowing the mountain of emails and growing to-do list that await my return to my desk.

The beginning of the partnership process can be daunting – building relationships and trust, managing new projects and executing on ideas can be a tiresome process. A recent article published in the Academy of Management analyzed the reasons why “collaborative engagement,” or partnerships to pursue shared goals, is valuable for organizations. [1]

The study concluded that, although there may be a host of reasons that organizations partner with one another, there are a few key effects of these relationships on organizations. Partners benefit from new shared knowledge, as they have access to more information than they would otherwise possess on their own. This is a clear value to organizations, allowing them to make better, more informed decisions.

Leaders need access to a breadth of information and diverse insights to make good decisions. So, if you find yourself in a similar situation to me, the next time you’re in a meeting wondering what value you may gain from establishing a new relationship, remember: your organization will benefit from the new perspectives your partner will bring to the table.

[1] Desai, V. M. (2018). Collaborative stakeholder engagement: An integration between theories of organizational legitimacy and learning. Academy of Management Journal, 61, 1, 220-244.