I've been inspired by Chris Brogan's prolific blogging. It seems like he's always able to ask interesting questions and make good observations, even though I don't always have the same conclusions. But that's ok, because it's the doing that matters most, and it's the doing that I respect the most.
So I'm going to take the next few minutes to jot down some thoughts. I've given up on the day-to-day blogging thing, since it's just not me. But there are a lot of things I've wanted to talk about and this is supposed to be my outlet.
In the past couple months we've won a Webby Award for JETSET, launched MIX, JETSET's amazing community site, organized Pixelodeon with the inspiring Jay Dedman and Ryanne Hodson, and asked Rick Rey to join the team and take a big role in our future. And that barely scratches the surface on what is actually going on behind closed doors.
What's interesting is that with all the incredible opportunities we've been presented, we are still very much on the brink of failure. We are also on the brink of extravagant success, too. Seems like we've been teetering on that fence for longer than I care to remember. I'm not really good at managing the middle ground -- I prefer to be at a full stop or at full speed ahead. The in-between space makes me feel stagnant and wasteful.
That makes this time disproportionately long and painful for me. I'm finding myself getting overly aggressive with decisions in the effort to move decisively in one direction (preferably forward toward success). It's become something of a daily ritual to remind myself that this is the time I will look back upon with wistful memories of the struggle to establish ourselves and an industry. It's really not that attractive a thought, frankly. I used to be a real romantic, embracing the image of the individual, the artist, soldiering on against the tides, waging a war with the ignorance of the establishment, blah, blah blah.
So over that shit.
Now I want partners that know how to get shit done. The days of the lone individual fighting the good fight seem corny, childish, and self-serving. Partners are everything. A good partnership can lift you both to new heights, and a bad one can plop a giant shit sandwich on your plate with no choice but to take a big bite.
The most important thing I've learned from the past two years is how to select partners and what to look for when you know you need help. Above all the obvious things like action vs. inaction, decisiveness vs. stagnation, and so forth, the quality I look for most of all is a perspective that is different from mine, but not totally different. What I mean by this is a partner who shares the same ultimate goal, but who can show you and teach you a new way to get there, or a new way to look at the same situation.
What do you look for in a partner?
Chris Brogan... said:
First, thanks for the props. Respect to you, sir.
In partners, seek CLARITY and be completely succinct in your needs. As you said, "The days of the lone individual fighting the good fight seem corny, childish, and self-serving." Well, making business contracts between friends that leave too many holes will suddenly seem painful and devastating (as I've watched several messes unfurl over the few scant months I've been embedded in this space).
In partners, seek a complement to your strengths. For me, vision is easy, communication is easy, relationships are easy. Execution and follow through are horrible. I don't need to feel satisfied with a clean "todo" list. That means I need someone on my team who is. Find the people who augment your strengths.
In my post about finding your strengths, I took a great survey from a book, and now have a stronger sense of what I need from others.
Remember this: save time to sharpen the saw, or your dull blade will make the work of cutting trees even harder.
Love the pic. : )
Lan Bui said:
One thing to look for would have to be that they are trustworthy. If they cannot meet this minimum why look at them any further.
Clintus McGintus said:
powerful shit man. i dont't need a partner so much as i need a director or leader. I work well in a team but need clear understanding of what you want or need. If I have that let me loose and I'll get it done. But it's when I am left to be "creative" on my own when I fail. I'm not a writer or an artist, I can't think up shit on my own. It sucks, I know.
steve garfield said:
Hey Steve,
Nice post.
What I look for in a partner is someone who gets me, understands my strengths, and gives me both the authority and responsibility to get things done. In a good partnership, they understand that if they give me something do do, it will get done when I say it will and I expect the same from them.
I also look for someone to compliment my strengths with their own. I've got a great partnership with Nina Simonds on the Spices of Life videoblog. She brings to videoblogging her years of experience in TV and publishing, and a totally unique take on working with sponsors.
Another thing that is important is people's working styles. I'm working with Halley Suitt on a new online video company and we work great together.
Finally, you've got to have fun. I don't work with mean people.
mike said:
Damn those good-looking Rey brothers! :) Just kidding, I'm really glad about the Rick thing, that rocks. I'm just jealous 'cause Rick has my dream-job.
Is it because I'm not good looking enough? It is, isn't it? I knew it :(
As for the partner - that's always tough, I find I get a lot of the gaps filled through the blog in areas of staying-on-task, motivation, etc. Amanda helps me a lot with breaking things down into a do'able order.
But, yea, what Garfield said: "have fun". Or what's the point.
MediaMisfit said:
Sounds like your learning a lot about business. Based on the startup that I'm in right now I would say "good" partners are everything. Partners that are aggressive and that move quickly are the most valuable. Like you said, you need people who can "get shit done". Partners are the vital element of the communal growth and survival of any industry. Plus partners are usually able to help businesses hold on when as certain market or industry picks up.
What I look in a partner.
1. Ethics. Without ethics are partner is nothing more than a freeloader. You can't define "EVERYTHING" in a partnership agreement so a good partner must not only think of their companies but the companies they have partnered with. They much understand that the decision that grows everyone in their network is more beneficial in the long run.
2. Support. Bigger partners are "VERY" beneficial but it's painful working with them since their structure is usually so chopped up it takes forever for anything to get done. A medium to big sized partner who supports your vision of what you are trying to accomplish and sees mutual value through the partnership can end in being a HUGE asset.
There are other things but those are two of the largest things.
Bill Cammack said:
Partners have to PLAY THEIR POSITION, and play it extremely well. That comes from each individual knowing what their personal strengths and weaknesses are as well as what they LOVE to do and what they HATE to do.
If you can get everyone on the same page and delegate responsibilities, you end up with something exponentially greater than the sum of the individuals involved.
