The three big Cs in our city.
Each is diverse and varied in itself. Each embodies different values, visions, beliefs, goals and aspirations. Each labours away in its’ own context with opportunities and threats, restrictions and obligations. Each has its own processes, rituals and structures for getting things done which make it hard for effective partnerships to be built and to last. We might manage to find an accommodation, but to find real synergies?
It easy for each to see the other as the enemy, or difficult, or greedy. I know this is a trap that I fall into MUCH too easily.
How good a job do we actually do at bring all three constituencies to the Party?
Getting them to listen to each other. To understand each other. To help each other as much as they possibly can. To learn to really associate.
We need much more than Victorian Philanthropy models and trickle down. We need genuine partnerships.
How well do we design our processes as a city that ensures that not only do we get the job done, but that we also improve the relationship between these three constituencies?
I suspect we worry much more about the task than the process and the relationships. I may be wrong.
Time for some innovation anyone?