Stable partnerships are distinguished both by the shared vision that guides the partnership as well as the standard practices of its partners. Stable partnerships are created and maintained through specific standard practices. There is very little attention paid and often, somewhere along the voyage of life, the partner-ship is unable to withstand the inevitable and predictable storms of life that can damage both the partners and the partner-ship. There are some practices that you should consider to help you in building and maintaining strong, durable and stable partnerships. Through the commitment to learn and use these practices, the partners can improve their relations and reach the goals of a partnership.

Write down the purpose and desired results for your partnership. A partnership without a stated purpose and intended results is like a ship setting sail without a chart or plotted course. The purpose should be stated in a way that lifts the spirit of all partners.

Mutually agree upon strategies for dealing with predictable breakdowns, like miscommunications, upsets or disagreements and use them when needed. It is important to have these strategies in place before the breakdowns occur. It is difficult, if not impossible, to create and implement them in the middle of a breakdown.

Communicate honestly from the heart and practice high performance listening. People respond positively to the expression of heartfelt truth because it builds trust, even if they don't agree with it. High performance listening is listening without judgment for the concerns of the other person that may be hidden behind their words.

Make choices grounded in love rather than fear. Become aware of your automatic reactions that are based in fear and look for the love choice instead. Ask yourself, what would “love” do or say in this situation?

Partnerships are in many ways like real, seagoing ships. Just like a sailing vessel needs regular, constant care and upkeep, your partnership need regular care and upkeep. The crew of a sailing ship is knowledgeable in the standard practices of seamanship, which is absolutely required to maintain a ship's seaworthiness. Unfortunately, most people are not knowledgeable in the standard practices of maintaining their partner-ships.

Share power rather than struggle for it. Let go of the need to be right all the time. Value others ideas and perceptions as being as valid as your own. Heal your unresolved power/authority issues from the past.

Assume personal responsibility for your emotional reality and refrain from blame. Blame and projection will pollute the emotional climate of a partnership faster than anything.

Commit to win/win outcomes - don't settle for anyone being the loser. For the partnership to win, all partners need to win. If anyone in the partnership loses, the entire partnership loses. Keep asking questions that lead you to the win/win outcome.

Take the initiative for the satisfaction of your own needs and wants and make clear requests of others that inspire their cooperation. Don't wait for people to guess what will make you happy. Nobody likes to endure demands or covert manipulation.

See problems as opportunities. Every problem contains the gift of spiritual development within it.

Whether building a life or a business or a community center maintaining a strong, stable, satisfying partnership requires specific standard practices. It is as important to pay attention to the partnership itself as to the goal of the partnership. Using the above practices can only improve your relation with your partner and help reach the goal of your partnership, good luck to you.
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Ben Gurion Matsas