November Star Clients Series with Executive Advisor Minoli Ratnatunga
Successful partnerships are not solely defined by shared goals; they are enhanced by the ability to work collaboratively, even through moments of conflict or the challenges of innovation. While enjoying the company of your partners is not an absolute requirement, it can significantly influence the effectiveness and longevity of the relationship. At their core, strong partnerships are built on trust, openness, and a shared commitment to inclusivity—qualities that not only create a great partnership but also lay the foundation for mutual success.
Executive Advisor Minoli Ratnatunga dives into this dynamic by reflecting on the question, “What makes a good client/partner?
“Having spent much of my career in not-for-profit organizations, I look to work with leaders who have a clear commitment to the mission of their organization and the good it can do in the world. The partners I’ve most enjoyed working with have been willing to engage the organization’s true stakeholders in a constructive and open manner to shape the future of their organizations. It can feel scary running an inclusive process where the answers that emerge aren’t necessarily the ones that the leaders had in mind when they started, but through our partnership and our process, we can help our clients build alignment and connect staff and board members to the strategic framework we develop together. It’s really inspiring to see what our partners are able to achieve long after we’ve stopped being actively involved in using the framework and all the things they learned as we co-created it.
In my policy research, I’ve always pursued the best implementable solution because I know policymakers are operating with real-world constraints. Great partners share that realistic understanding of both what is feasible and what could be feasible and have the leadership and vision to inspire and empower their people to reach further in pursuit of their mission. We always aim to earn and build trust with our clients because open conversation allows them to be frank in sharing what obstacles might arise, and helps us all navigate through the process more successfully. Approaching the partnership with good humor and curiosity to discover the best idea, no matter where it might come from, helps a lot with this.”
It is this spirit of collaboration and shared success that makes partnerships not just effective, but extraordinary.
Is this you? We invite you to get in touch to discuss new opportunities to create, contribute, and collaborate with leadership teams in the social impact sphere. We welcome any questions or inquiries you might have.
Minoli Ratnatunga is an economist dedicated to helping communities prosper. Her work at think tanks, nonprofits, and public institutions aims to inform and improve decision-making. Minoli brings her curiosity and research skills to the firm’s engagements with mission-driven organizations, acting as both a source and a sounding board to leaders thinking through complex strategic choices. She draws upon her experience gathering input and distilling information to help organizations better understand and address critical issues.
