The Power of True Partnerships: Building Trust That Fuels Success

As a guy who's juggled leading big teams, writing a book on leadership, and trying to be present for my beautiful wife and our two kids—one running a social media agency down in sunny Florida, the other grinding through nursing school at Providence College in Rhode Island—I've learned that success isn't a solo act. It's about the relationships you build, especially those key partnerships that keep your business humming. Living in Toronto now, where the hustle of the city reminds me daily of how interconnected we all are, I've seen firsthand how the right partners can turn challenges into triumphs. But let's be honest: not all partnerships are created equal. Today, I want to talk about spotting your best ones and squeezing every drop of trust, value, and capability out of them—without the corporate fluff.

Think back to that time early in my career when I was thrust into a high-stakes negotiation with a third-party provider. (If you've read my book, “Don't Wait, Lead Now”, you'll recognize this from Chapter 8—where our long-time partner decided to double fees overnight, basically signaling they wanted out.) We were the "hot kid in school," owning thousands of client relationships and growing like wildfire, yet we panicked like teenagers at prom. That experience taught me a hard truth: partnerships aren't just contracts; they're living relationships built on mutual trust and shared wins. Mess that up, and you're left scrambling. Get it right, and you create a powerhouse that propels everyone forward.

In business, your best partners aren't the ones with the flashiest logos or the lowest bids—they're the ones who align with your values, amplify your strengths, and stick with you through the storms. Whether it's a vendor streamlining your supply chain, a collaborator co-creating innovative solutions, or even an internal ally across departments, these relationships matter most because they directly impact your team's performance and your bottom line. But here's where humility kicks in: I've rolled up my sleeves and gotten it wrong plenty of times, assuming trust was automatic, or value would just "happen." Spoiler Alert: it doesn't. You have to nurture it intentionally.

So, how do you leverage and maximize these golden partnerships? Here are a few actionable steps I've used over 25 years of leading teams—steps that are simple, human, and effective. They'll take you about 3-5 minutes to read, but implementing them could transform your leadership game.

1. Assess Trust Early and Often (With Honesty): Start by asking yourself: Do we trust each other enough to call out issues without fear? In that negotiation I mentioned, we had to "call bullshit" on complacency to move forward. Action step: Schedule a quarterly "trust check-in" meeting. No agendas, just open dialogue. Share a win you've both contributed to and one area for improvement. It's empathetic—acknowledge their challenges too—and builds authenticity. I've done this with partners and seen shaky relationships turn rock-solid.

2. Maximize Value Through Shared Goals (Add a Dash of Empathy): Value isn't about what you get; it's about what you co-create. Remember, your partners have families, stresses, and goals just like you. Action step: Co-develop a "value roadmap" outlining 3-5 mutual objectives for the next six months. For example, if they're a tech provider, don't just demand faster service—collaborate on how it boosts your client satisfaction scores. I've used this to turn vendors into true allies, and it's saved my teams countless headaches.

3. Unlock Capability by Investing in Growth (Humor Helps): Ever feel like you're the penguin trying to fly? (Chapter 15 in my book—penguins swim, folks!) Partners have untapped potential too. Action step: Offer resources or training to enhance their skills in ways that benefit both sides. Maybe share your team's best practices or co-fund a workshop. I once did this with a struggling supplier, and it not only boosted their capability but made me laugh when they joked, "Jim, you're turning us into superheroes." Humility check: Admit when you need their expertise—it's a two-way street.

4. Measure and Celebrate Progress (Keep It Human): Don't let partnerships drift. Action step: Track key metrics like response times or joint innovations, but pair them with personal shout-outs. Send a handwritten note (yes, old-school works) or grab a virtual coffee to say thanks. In my busy life, these small acts remind me why I love leading—helping others succeed feels good.

Look, I'm no superhero. Balancing a demanding career with family means I've dropped the ball on partnerships before, but owning those moments with honesty and empathy has always pulled me through. Strong partnerships aren't just business; they're the glue that lets you lead with confidence, knowing you've got a team (extended or not) that's got your back.

If this resonates, grab a copy of “Don't Wait, Lead Now” on Amazon—it's packed with more stories like these. What's one partnership you're grateful for right now? Drop a comment below; I'd love to hear and maybe even feature it in a future post.  You can also find us at Medium and Substack

Lead on, 

Jim Lord