​I1* - Teamwork really does make the dream work.

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." African proverb

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. It's a bit cliche, but teamwork really does make the dream work.

I believe that as humans we are wired for community.  For me, the accountability and camaraderie I get from partnering with others is not only encouraging, but it is also instrumental in helping me achieve my goals.

Even though I recharge my personal battery by being alone, I have partners in everything meaningful that I do including marriage, business, athletics, and ministry.

Here are two general rules that I have for my partnerships.

1. Treat the partnership as your own sole proprietorship.

Take a no excuses approach to success.

You must assume that you are the one who is ultimately responsible for accomplishing the objective.

Don't wait for your partner to pick up the slack. Continually ask yourself and your partner, "What can I do to help achieve the goals?"

2. Treat your partner as the sole proprietor.

Be the partner you want to have. 

Defer to your partner.

You should take the position that you are the junior partner working for the senior partner.

I have found that the best partnerships are when both partners live out the two rules above for their other partner.

What is your experience with partnerships?

*Be sure to read the Intro post to this blog series to get the most out of it.