MARILYN J. AMEY MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY PAMELA L. EDDY THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY The Role of Leadership in Strategic Partnerships
Reasons for Partnerships Resource savings Goal alignment Policy mandate Pooling of expertise
Partnership Formation Traditional Partnerships—happenstance: Emerge from individual interests Addressing common problem—end goal Strategic Partnerships differ: Intentionality Alignment of strategic outcomes Second order change
Theoretical Framework Berger & Luckmann (1966)—Social constructionism Weick (1995)—Sensemaking Fairhurst & Sarr (1996)—Framing Hickman (2010)—Collaborative leadership and change
Leadership Sense for self first Framing for others Interpretation that aligns with strategic initiatives Issues Leadership at different levels Framing message shifts during partnership formation and sustainability
Role of Leaders Institutional planning and development of goals Environmental scanning Developing and nurturing of relationships Role shifts over time Creation of shared meaning
Some Examples 5 college collaboration Mandated Lack of Trust High school/Community College/Social Services Shared space Collective resources Power of leader Community College and public service—Program Common need Alignment of goals
Strategic Partnerships Leaders frame the motivations to collaborate (economic, value alignment, policy mandate) Leaders guide: Creation of Institutional Strategic Goals and Objectives Environmental Scanning Trust, Shared Norms, Shared Values Leaders frame: Strategic Partnerships Relationships Framing
Policy Policy in place to support strategic alignment Move from mandates to systemic change of capacity Requires critical reflection of current status Requires leaders with ability to frame issues Requires alignment of goals Requires building of trust/relationships Role of time
Implications Organizational critical self-assessment required to understand institutional needs and goals Need to understand context Evaluation of potential partners Leaders must frame
Questions?