Have You Found a Partner?
By: David Freund, Chief Leadership Officer

Life isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s downright tough. Things often go much better when you have a partner alongside you. I have been so blessed in my life to have many people that I would call my partners. The first and most beautiful is my dear wife. I can’t imagine life without her. She is by far the greatest earthly gift God has given me. She has also been my longest partner at over thirty-six years. What a blessing these thirty-six years have been and I would love to have thirty-six more. But what about in the rest of my life. What about in my work life?

As I reflected on that part of my life, my mind quickly went to a toolmaker named John. John and I worked together for a few years, and we shared some great times. We each had strengths, and those strengths seem to counterbalance the other’s weaknesses. I don’t know if we ever had an argument in the years we worked together. We trusted each other and valued the relationship.  The results were outstanding. Two United States patents and a new manufacturing process that accomplished something everyone said was impossible.

In a teaching some years ago, John Maxwell shared this acrostic for PARTNER. I’ve taken the liberty to change it up slightly.

P – I will put your agenda at the top of my agenda.

A – I will add value to you on a daily basis.

R – I will resource you with influence and tools you need to be more effective.

T – I will tailor my efforts to meet your needs.

N – I will never violate your trust in me.

E – I will exceed your expectations in everything that I do for you.

R – I will respect our relationship at a level that I always give 100%.

Partnering with people allows us to add value to each other and help the other person achieve their potential. I am very thankful to say that I believe I have several partners in my life now, and I am always looking for additional partners. People to whom I can add value to and in turn, add value back into my life. Life is a journey, and everyone knows a journey traveled with a friend or a partner is a much more enjoyable trip.

How about you? Will you choose to travel alone, or with a true partner?  Please join Marisa and me on The Next Page podcast where we discuss John Maxwell’s PARTNER acrostic in depth.

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