Fusion: The New Name for Partnering?

Is fusion the new name for partnering? Maybe. Perhaps with all the trendy and confusing ways in which especially partnership is used these days (it can mean everything from computer collaboration tools to financial connections) we might need a new word to strike some fresh meaning. Besides, I personal love the music connection that fusion implies!

Here is what one leader within the philanthropy movement said the other day.

The [new] story lies in the partnership, the fusion, of many organizations coming to the table in the name of the cause. Countless meetings, phone calls, site visits, and parking lot conversations have led to a shared understanding. As a group, we faced our own challenges and setbacks. We had to bridge relationships and push one another to think outside of our own boxes. We had to think bigger about philanthropy and partnership. Not one of our institutions could have done this alone. Ultimately, what we were working for was trust, where each of us could be honest and transparent. This trust is translating into action and it’s incredibly exciting.

Well, whatever we call it: fusion, collaboration, etc., that is the way partnering works! Relationships -- built on trust -- that unpack and address appropriate strategic response in ways that no one group can do by themselves. Marvelous examples in partnering are taking place all over the non-profit (and for profit) world. And, yes, it is incredibly exciting.

The questions we at REACT Services explore are: how does one catalyze partnering? How do we avoid getting distracted by structure questions (partnering versus partnership)? How is the idea moved forward to real action? How do we show added value of the fusion (i.e., collaborative effort) to each organization involved? How do we hold each other accountable to agreed upon actions? And, of course, how do we measure collective success?

Let me know what you think? Do you like the fusion connection?