Private individuals, businesses, stakeholder and special interest groups, various governmental / public bodies, and numerous others all contribute significantly to the creation and maintenance of vibrant, healthy communities.
It's simple logic: the more people who preach the same message, the easier it is to gain public support, create positive change, and sustain dynamic communities. Especially in the age of social media, it is important to always make new connections and work with new people while also keeping the ones you already have strong. A relationship or collaboration requires regular two-way communication and the gradual development of trust. If you have the opportunity to establish a new partnership or strengthen existing relationships by attending a conference or informal networking event and speaking to a stakeholder group, take advantage of it because you never know where it will lead or how valuable and necessary these partnerships will be in the future.
Making opponents into allies
In the past, there are many examples of people in the public sector who turned rivals or people who could be enemies into allies. Abraham Lincoln was a master at making alliances, and he had a lot of success because he didn't burn any bridges. He followed the philosophy of keeping enemies near and forming alliances instead of rivalries. After he was elected president for the first time, Lincoln surrounded himself with political opponents and strong people. He was also very smart about using these people as resources. He knew how important it was for each of them to present a united front and how they could speak for him to different groups during one of the most chaotic times in our country's history.
Using and forming partnerships with the Media
Theodore Roosevelt was a man who saw the media as a resource that could be used to his benefit. At the turn of the century, the U.S. was going through a "growth spurt" and becoming a world leader in industry. However, with growth comes "growing pains," and while the media was clearly a resource, it was also a social watchdog. Journalists started doing what is now called "investigative reporting," and they found out about some of the terrible things that came with industrialization, like business monopolies, "back-door agreements," unsafe and horrible working conditions, and unfair labor practices. As a result, while the media can be a valuable collaborator, it is critical to remain watchful, appreciate the power of the press, and remember that perception is reality. This is especially important in the public sector, where you are responsible for how public money is spent while still giving people what they need.
Building relationships takes time, yet it is those same relationships that strengthen our time on this planet. Trying to make connections and partnerships may be hard, take time, and even be tiring at times, but I think it's the only practical way to live a fruitful life!
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