This short briefing paper shares What Works Scotland’s early learning on developing authentic relationships that are durable, sustainable and honest when working with the complex dynamics of community planning partnerships.
Summary
This paper presents emerging learning on the importance of building successful relationships in order to support change around public service reform when working within the complex dynamics of community planning partnerships (CPPs). It is based on ongoing research by What Works Scotland across CPPs and other public services.
Developing authentic relationships that are durable, sustainable and honest has been a key component of What Works Scotland’s work, and central to success in working with the complex dynamics of CPPs. What Works Scotland has adopted a collaborative approach as we have sought to engage and work with partners and develop joint ways of working. To be successful relationships have to be robust and strong enough to make interruptions, allow disagreement and introduce challenge.
The insights and experiences over the past 18 months suggest the following eight considerations are key to building authentic relationships:
- Time
- Personalised connections
- Establishing and developing crictical relationships
- Nurturing authenticity
- Understanding the context
- Rethinking accountability and ownership
- Using expertise appropriately
- Articulating benefits and impacts
Download the publication
Reflecting on what works in developing authentic relationships in complex settings (PDF)
More details
Authors: Hayley Bennett, Richard Brunner, Claire Bynner, Chris Chapman, James Henderson and Nick Watson
Date of publication: 8 December 2016
Publication type: Briefing paper
