The importance of language, context, and communication as components of successful partnership

Abstract

Susan J. BrackenEducational partnership is complex and challenging, and a significant amount of literature is devoted to understanding the reasons some partnerships are successful and others-even with good people and good ideas-fail. In a review of the literature, Tett (2005) found that successful partnerships are clear about the purpose of their endeavor, and that members reach agreement about who is responsible for which aspects of the partnership. A good partnership recognizes that each member' s unique contributions reflect trust and commitment to clear communication. This is demonstrated by a "commitment to learning from each other and changing our own ideas as a result" (Tett, 2005, p. 6). In the opposite light, Tett, Crowther, and O'Hara (2003) argue that barriers to successful partnerships stem from differences in funding, perceived power, purpose, organization culture, ideology, processes, and communication styles. Further, they suggest that lack of flexibility, accommodation, or resources, or inability to deal with conflict, will potentially lead to failure.This chapter analyzes the role language, communication, and context play in a successful collaboration among several community colleges, a university, a government agency, and a number of communities. The examples in this case focus on the early phases or stages of partnership formation as discussed by Amey and Brown (2005). 41 4

Table of Contents

“…In the initial stages of formation, it is important to create a shared understanding of the problem. Here, it is critical to create shared language to define the problem and the goals of the partnership (Bracken, 2007). Building trust (Johnston, 2009;Reyes, Alexander, and Diem, 2008) is a critical element in the storming phase when partners are just coming together.…”

Iowa career and technical education: A case study of secondary and postsecondary collaboration on programs of study and technical skill attainment assessment

“…This chapter provided a review of literature focused on career and technical education (ACTE, 2006;Castellano et al, 2003;Derner, Klein, & Hilber, 2008;Hyslop, 2008;IDE, 2004IDE, , 2008IDE, , 2009Reinhart, 1979;Schenck, 1995;Stone III et al;Thompson, 1973), assessment (Banta et al, 1996;Huba & Freed, 2000), collaboration (Amey, 2010;Amey et al, 2010;Azinger, 2000;Bracken, 2007;Bragg & Russman, 2007;Essex, 2001;Gray, 1989;Hoffman-Johnson, 2007;McCord, 2002;Ozaki et al, 2007;Russell & Flynn, 2000;Sink & Jackson, 2002;Sink et al, 2004;Walters et al, 1994), effective teams (Gray, 1989;Mears, 1994), and theoretical perspectives chosen for my study (Blake & Mouton, 1975;Kelman, 1961;Lussier & Achua, 2007;Weick, 1984). In Chapter 3, I will discuss the qualitative research design used within my study.…”

“…partners (Bracken, 2007;Walters, Peters, & Dress, 1994) and identifying their champion (Amey et al, 2007;Amey et al, 2010;Ozaki et al, 2007).…”

“…Walters et al (1994) recommends that organizations should identify partners that complement existing partners. In my review of literature, Bracken (2007) found that partnerships should recognize "each member's unique contributions" (p. 41). Walters et al…”

“…A second characteristic needed to build effective partnerships is the development of trust between team members (Kisner et al, 1997;Essex, 2001;Bracken, 2007). Trust among partners is needed in order for partners to feel comfortable sharing personal and institutional sensitive information (Kisner et al, 1997).…”