Partner: The Missing Career Team Member
We all know the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right support system. When asked who makes up that support system, we will hear of the dynamic trio: Sponsor, Coach, and Mentor. These are invaluable. We cannot be successful without these relationships. However, there is a fourth relationship we should ensure we recognize or add to our career team. That relationship is Career Partner.
Who is A Career Partner?
A career partner can be considered an assignment helper. That is a trusted person who helps with a job, assignment, or mission. Think of descriptions like associate, companion, partners-in-crime, sidekick, or assistant.
Your partner can be an administrative assistant who ensures all your ducks are in a row, from meetings to reports to managing your packed calendar. They can even be mentees or proteges who are always there to help you when you call.
The common denominator is their desire and commitment to do what they can to help you succeed. That relationship could be short-term or long-term. It’s dynamic and filled by different people depending on the assignment.
Purpose of A Career Partner
Just as each in the dynamic trio (sponsors, mentors, or coaches) has its specific role, career partners have a specific role. They are the people who are instrumental in us delivering our results. In other words, their role is to help us make things happen.
The role of a career partner is filled organically by someone you trust. Here are three of the critical roles they can serve:
- Cheer Leader: Your sidekick, partner-in-crime, or supporter who cheers you on to victory. Oprah Winfrey is a self-made successful woman. However, it’s hard to ignore that throughout her career there’s been one person who is always by her side: longtime friend Gayle King. (From: gobankingrates.com; 25 Best Business Partner Duos of all Time; Aug 14, 2018).
- Collaborator: Your partner can help you grow or grow together with you. Unlike the Cheer Leader, this role is less emotional and more transactional. They can co-develop and co-sponsor activities with you. A famous example was Bill Gates and Paul Allen whose partnership founded Microsoft. Another was James Gamble and William Procter who formed my former company, Procter & Gamble, in 1837.
- Support Partner: A partner can provide non-judgmental support when it’s most needed. This could be a significant other like a spouse. It could be a mentor you have known for a long time and the relationship has progressed to a strong friendship. It may also be a peer with whom you have a brother or sister relationship. During difficult times, that person will pump you up or share a cup of coffee when needed to calm you down. There are times a support partner will help you think logically about a difficult situation or gently tell you when you are wrong.
The career partner relationship is so important that we find many examples in my favorite book, The Bible.
The apostle Paul had a traveling companion and co-minister, Silas (Acts 15-18). The prophet Elijah had the persistent Elisha as a protégé who would not let Elijah move without him (1Kings 19:16). Then there was Moses who had a trusted friend and Mentee, Joshua (Num 27:18) who supported the mission Moses had for the Children of Israel. Of course, there was the ultimate leader, Jesus Christ, who had 12 apostles with three followers in His inner circle: Peter, James, and John (Luke 5:4-11).
It is worth noting that not everyone in your circle is a career partner, nor should be considered one. Recall of the 12 disciples, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus (Luke 22:48). There are those close to you who will doubt your mission.
Why is this important?
It is important for us to understand the role of the career partner for two key reasons.
- We must nurture that relationship and not take it for granted.
- We should intentionally show our appreciation to those who are our career partners.
As Christ-centered leaders, we should pause and recognize how our career partners enable our accomplishments. Who is your career partner on your lead project? Don’t forget them or take them for granted.
Empowered Leader Reflection
Who is one of your career partners, and when was the last time you showed appreciation to that person?
Go ahead, leave a comment below.
This article made me see a new dimension as it relate friendships. I am going to call a few of my partners and thank them for being there for me and pushing me to be better over the years.
This article made me see a new dimension as it relate friendships. I am going to call a few of my partners and thank them for being there for me and pushing me to be better over the years.
Hi Rose, Thanks for your comment and I’m glad this resonated with you and encouraging you to nurture those important relationships.
Double thanks Rose 🙂
Just read the article; it was both interesting and appropriate.
Good work
Thank you Delise. Glad it resonated with you.
Outstanding work my friend
Thanks Carl and blessings to you.