Will your colleague be an ethical collaborator?

My daughter: ‘We were measuring people’s souls today.’

Me: ‘What were you using to measure them with?’

My daughter: ‘A ruler.’

A little vague? How do you work out whether your colleague/collaborator/client is going to be an ethical collaborator?

Here are 3 signs that you’re onto long-term vibes:

1. They are Responsive.
You can’t do work together if…well…you’re not actually both present in some form. Everyone’s busy - so if you’re colleague/contact/client isn’t acknowledging emails or picking up the phone, it’s less exciting.

2. They Take responsibility, give you the chance to do the same, and move the hell on.
Every project has constraints/obstacles and curveballs. Even a loving and seasoned team might get hit by one. Hands up ‘my bad - here’s how we’ll avoid it in future' and we begin again. 

Watch out for the Kicker - the person who, if you hold up your hand, doesn’t own up to their part in it. They just see your hand as an opening floodgate to pour blame. The moment you can, figure out how you can wish them a long and happy life, very far away from your people who want to make great things and have a great time doing it.

3. They are Upfront.
They tell you what they know & have - and what they don’t have. Almost any project is surmountable if you know where on Odins’ green earth you’re starting from.

What are your criteria for your partners? 

#Authenticity starts with the right team.