Partnership.  We use the word all the time, but how frequently do we take the time to dive into what that really means?  Recruitment professionals are adept at building relationships with candidates, internal stakeholders, vendors, and our recruitment teams.  But what does it take to turn those connections and relationships into true partnerships.

Recently AAPPR spoke with members, vendor partners, and leaders about what factors make for a good partnership.  We’ve summarized our findings into the Eight Golden Rules for a Successful Partnership

1. Trust: Trust is essential in any partnership and can only be built over time through consistent actions and communication. Be honest about what is expected and share feedback regularly about what is going well and where there are opportunities for improvement.

2. Clear Communication: Partnerships require open and honest communication. Establishing a communication strategy that works for both parties will eliminate miscommunication and help ensure everyone has a voice in the project or process.  Remember, not everyone communicates the same way – some prefer email, others a text, and some would rather a phone call.  Clear communication will help to build trust and achieve shared goals.

3. Shared Vision and Goals: Partnerships should be formed with a shared vision and goals, so that both parties are working towards the same end result.

4. Complementary Skills and Strengths: Partners with different skills and strengths can complement each other and create a more effective and successful partnership. Taking the time to learn what the other partner can bring to the table is invaluable.  Different perspectives and approaches to strategizing and problem solving will only create a stronger team.

5. Accountability: Once expectations are communicated and established, both partners should hold themselves accountable for their actions and responsibilities within the partnership.  At the same time, both partners should also hold each other accountable and communicate with one another when expectations aren’t being met.  Accountability may mean holding regular check-ins or sharing reports or status updates.

6. Mutual Respect: Each partner should respect the other’s contributions, opinions, and ideas.  Some of the strongest partnerships involve people who approach or see things very differently; but with mutual respect and appreciation for what each brings to the table the partnerships thrive.

7. Flexibility: A willingness to adapt and change course as needed is important in any partnership, as circumstances and goals may shift over time. Recruitment is ever changing and both teams and individuals need to be able to adapt their strategies to a shifting landscape.

8. Mutually Assured Success: The recruitment ecosphere is small, and the market is competitive. At the end of the day, we are all working towards the same goal: attracting and retaining top provider talent to our communities.  When a partnership is built on both parties winning success will follow.