How do you develop and sustain long-term relationships and networks with your community partners?

Understanding your purpose and values is like having a compass that guides you through an ever-changing landscape. But it's not just about having a mission statement that your community can align with, it's about living and breathing your purpose every day. When you truly believe in your mission and values, it shines through in your interactions with community partners. People can sense when you're genuinely committed to a cause, and that authenticity builds trust. That trust helps to strengthen the connections with our partners and community.

Building trust is key. I invest time in understanding the community's dynamics and showing consistent, genuine interest in their welfare. Regular communication, being transparent about processes and decisions, and involving them in planning stages help strengthen these relationships over time.

Aligning with your community partners starts with a clear understanding of your organization's purpose and values. When both parties share common goals, the foundation for a lasting relationship is laid. It's not just about what you do, but why you do it that creates a meaningful connection.

Trust trust and trust - you don't trust someone you don't know - I call interactions "touch points" - ie after you meet someone, follow up with something relevant to them - sharing of articles or tagging on Linkedin or a coffee or something that you both feel would be beneficial. Over time this technique has forged many friendships due to common ground as well as business relationships. It doesn't have to be business , business , business - have some fun and ask about the cricket or something non business at a first interaction.

Sometimes the best way to conduct thorough research is to simply ask. Be well-prepared with the right context and questions, but getting someone face-to-face and hearing about their challenges and needs in their own words is the best answer you can get.

Doing your research also means being able to answer -- what is in it for them? how is the project meeting a need that they have? how will they benefit? what am I offering towards their goals? Community engagement is not a one-way approach. It is bidirectional and even multidirectional, depending on the number and diversity of communities being engaged.

Doing our own research is very fundamental as every community is different as they have different expectations, governance, goals, & outcomes. When we want community partners to come together with us, we have to figure out in what context would they add value and in what context they may not be valuable inspire of the amazing work being done by them. The most important aspect is getting on a common ground where the partners, members, & enablers, are willing to experiment together. During the research, having a no-agenda candid discussion is the key to enable those collaborations.

To build enduring partnerships, dive deep into understanding your community allies. Investigate their ambitions, obstacles, and strengths. Grasp how they interact within their sphere and pinpoint their exact needs and communication styles. Engage them directly. Arm yourself with precise, insightful questions and seek face-to-face dialogues. Hearing their stories firsthand isn't just insightful; it's a game-changer. This approach equips you to tailor your strategies precisely, paving the way for robust, misunderstanding-free collaborations.

Comprehensive knowledge about your community partners is the cornerstone of a sustainable relationship. Understand their mission, challenges, and aspirations. This knowledge not only demonstrates your commitment but also positions you to offer targeted support that genuinely addresses their needs.

What is the professional limitation on honesty and transparency in a professional work space. My work style is very warm/strict. I can be very focused and my "honesty" can be construed as abrupt and as a woc, going into workplaces that are predominantly white, that can be daunting. I've been told because I dont approach things quietly or passive aggressively, me my personality professionally gets misconstrued as "Unsupportive" and "unprofessional" when I'm never disrespectful, don't raise my voice or insult. I just say what I mean and mean what I say. What are tips to find better work balance in these situations?

Listen listen and listen ! then ask! Always be understanding of people's time and effort to meet and their perspective. Once you have an understanding of their perspective - it becomes a lot easier to resonate and morph your way to an outcome. In many instances - there are too many variables of information and a lack of understanding of each other's way or process of doing things. I relate it back to a doctor - a doctor doesn't come in and start telling their life story to you. They may - if you ask , but their first words are normally "how can I help" then understand, then assess, then question, then diagnose. It's quite simple!

Don't post and ghost!! Take the time to respond to every comment and DM. Actively engage the social media accounts of your partners, employees, and clients to strengthen their loyalty and advocacy. Also, be sure to engage the accounts of your ideal clients, partners, media allies, etc. In fact, consider making content with them using "content-based networking" strategies that give before asking. Content is not king. Relationships are. Content is just one powerful tool.

Don't forget to be human, too! Be yourself. Don't shy away from showing your personality and sharing your personal life. You'll build an authentic rapport much faster.

Honesty & Transparency is the key. At the end of the day, we are human beings & we connect with others at a human level. These connections are established through authentic conversations, being vulnerable, & creating those experiences together. Safe spaces are created by being respectful & responsible in taking this 1-1 experience & scaling them to greater heights. Multiple 1-1 conversations in an acceptable guidelines is a great start.

Collaboration is not just a strategy but a mindset that can truly transform community engagement. It's about going beyond the traditional 'give and take' and embracing a 'co-grow' approach. When we involve our community partners not just as stakeholders but as co-creators of solutions, we tap into a wealth of collective wisdom. Host collaborative workshops or brainstorming sessions to generate innovative ideas and nurture a sense of belonging and shared ownership. It's amazing to witness the energy that arises when everyone feels like an integral part of the journey! Collaboration is about more than checking off a to-do list, it's a continuous commitment to building something meaningful together.

Co-creation means that the project is no longer yours -- it belongs to the partnership. Hence, be willing and flexible for the project to look different than what you envisioned. Often when you are truly committed to meaningful community engagement, the process and outcomes are not only different, but better because they align with community expertise, experiences and knowledge of the solution. Co-creation really leads to buy-in with greater impact and sustainability.

mixing our unique skills, audiences usually results in a compound result. It taps into our natural desire to pitch in, be heard, and leave a mark. By working together, everyone’s small contributions combine into something massive and impactful. This isn’t simply about working side by side; it’s about weaving our dreams into a shared reality. Every single one of us contributes to making something truly remarkable. That’s where the real magic lies.

Collaboration & Co-creation becomes an outcome from community. Members have come together in a community for a cause & purpose which can be anything. In the process of establishing trust, we know & understand that we can seek help. Mutual help and collaboration also supports and encourages peer to peer learning and growth. Fostering this learning & growth becomes the essence of community that needs to be enabled by members specially the older ones to handhold & enable these collaborations. Community enables collaboration & co-creation at scale that determines how is it thriving & growing.

Embrace collaboration as a guiding principle. Co-create initiatives with your community partners, ensuring that the relationship is mutually beneficial. When everyone has a stake in the success, the bonds formed are more resilient and enduring. My best work has always been collaborative.

I have built a community for women that thrives on celebrating each others achievements, no matter how small these may seem. In a world where you can be anything, be kind, it only takes a few moments to 'like' a post, or show support, you don't have to write an essay. Part of my work has been to encourage women to shout out publicly about one other woman in their life who they feel deserves it, whatever it is they may have done. We shouldn't be tearing each other down to get to the top, but helping each other up the mountain instead!

Never underestimate the power of a handwritten note! Small gestures go a long way. Keep tabs when people mention birthdays, anniversaries, or other things important to them and acknowledge them every chance possible.

Acknowledging & celebrating wins gets members those encouragement & confidence that they can take bigger risks. These small wins also becomes the foundation of case study on which the trust and belongingness is built. Challenges & Failures are inevitable as they are part of learning & growing experience. The community provides this safe space for members to experiment, take risks, & learn from them. With all this experimentation the celebration becomes something to look forward by the stakeholders to figure out collaboration at scale.

Thank your partners for their hard work, dedication, and contributions, both big and small. Recognize their achievements and impact through public acknowledgments and awards.

Recognize milestones, achievements, and contributions. Celebrate the successes, both big and small. Genuine appreciation cultivates a positive atmosphere, reinforcing the idea that you value and acknowledge the efforts of your community partners.