The Power of Partnership
WHY ‘WE’ MATTERS
Coaching and community are the two pillars of Fount + Flourish and each of these are fueled by space and connection. Why? Let's take a look at why building community through partnership and connection matters for women and for growth.
I can dive into a good podcast, but boy do I love a good book! These days my audio books may be filled with romcoms (who doesn't love an Emily Henry novel), but my shelves are filled with leadership, coaching, and management books. I need a physical copy that I can highlight, mark, and refer back to again and again (and oftentimes to give away). I just can't get enough from stories and perspectives that help me see new ways to approach problems or how to better understand other people and the world around me.
BUT IS THAT REALLY ENOUGH?
For example, this morning I closed out an episode of the Women at Work podcast and felt energized, but skeptical. The advice from the show was super helpful and the situations relatable, but the reality of putting lessons into practice? Less so. Sure, maybe you are that rare, disciplined woman who can engage in new behaviors immediately (if so, send me a note ↓ and teach me your ways, PLEASE!). However, more likely than not, you need support to make true, lasting change. Don't get me wrong, these podcasts and books are helpful in expanding our thinking, but absorbing information is just the first step. We need to turn information into action.
It’s why teachers partner students together to work through problems and projects and why we join run clubs and book clubs. It’s why people hire me (and others) as a consultant or coach. Partnership with others helps us achieve something that may be impossible or more difficult alone. When we partner with others, we gain more layers to the story or to the lesson and create more balance in our understanding. We start to weave together a network of support. We strengthen the chances of our growth ‘sticking’. Inviting people into our learning and personal growth is often scary or uncomfortable, but that's where the magic happens. It creates accountability. It allows us to share success and failures, and opens up space to share ideas and/or process things that didn't go as planned. It means you are not in it alone. If women really want to redefine the female experience, partnership - community - connection are essential to support personal and collective change AND to amplify impact. In our world today, it’s so easy for women to feel isolated at work, home, or in communities. When we come together to learn and grow, we strengthen each other and create a ripple effect of belonging and connection.
SO…NOW WHAT?
Whether through Fount + Flourish or somewhere else, grab a partner. Make 2023 the year you invest in partnership and community to achieve your goals and grow. Find someone or some group to practice and engage in deeper conversations around things you are learning and working on. I started Fount + Flourish to create ‘a village’ with a variety of ways for women to partner with each other. A community that is social but intentionally gathering women together, and a coaching practice where I can walk alongside you as a partner. Whether you work with a coach or mentor, join a community (virtual or in-person) based on your interests, or start a girls night that digs a bit deeper in conversation, find an outlet that helps you FLOURISH 🪴 .. Come on and take a risk this year. Life was meant to be shared.
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As I was thinking through this idea of “partnership”, a friend sent me a quote saying it reminded her of the work I was doing with F + F. Well, it just so happens to be the perfect way to close out this post. I sure am happy to have a few people out there thinking about me and partnering with me on this journey.
“Nothing sustains motivation better than belonging to the tribe. It transforms a personal quest into a shared one…It's friendship and community that embed a new identity and help behaviors last over the long run.” - James Clear, Atomic Habits
GRAB A PARTNER
In the spirit of partnership, I am offering a 20% discount when you and a friend sign up for a Community Masterclass together! Use code GRABAPARTNER and browse the upcoming masterclasses below:
