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The Second 'C' to Sail Through To Get Your 'Passport To Partnership'

12th Oct 2012
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Last week the focus of the blog was on the first 'C' - Competence in terms of what several hundred Partners of Practice who had been interviewed, had deemed was one of the seven C's that they looked for in determining whether a senior manager was 'Partner Material' in their eyes. 

This week we look at the second 'C' that came from the consensus of responses. The second 'C' is for 'Common Touch'

Rising from Senior Manager to Partner often means being promoted ahead of our peers and contemporaries. It creates a gap in earnings, stature and influence compared to those who just yesterday were our colleagues on a level playing field.

It can also mean that if we are coming into a firm from the outside, we are being promoted over people who have served at that firm for many years and understand another C we'll be looking a, the 'Culture' of the firm, a lot better than we do right now. We may have to lead these people as the head of a department and if so, they'd better be on our side.

This is where the 'Common Touch' is applied. Partners interviewed commented that they were looking for someone with no sense of ego or self importance, someone who could relate equally as effectively with a client, a partner or an administrative assistant. Someone who other employees could look to with respect as an expert, a role model and someone who had a proven track record that justified their appointment.

Common touch does not relate to their relationship with existing or new clients as we'll see in future posts but specifically how they conduct themselves behind closed doors at their firm both now as a senior manager and/or then as a new partner. An increase in maturity is applauded by the partners, an increase in arrogance is not.

I'll leave the final word to one partner I interviewed who summarised concisely by saying: 'When you are promoted to partner, you think you've reached the pinnacle. The truth is that you're actually only on the lower slopes and the hard work and steepest learning curve is still ahead of you'

I hope these findings are providing some value for you and your firm. Please join me next week to find out what Partners value in a senior manager as we investigate 'C' number 3. 

Martin Bissett is the founder of The Upward Spiral Partnership and can be reached on 07708 922622 on Twitter @USPUK and invites you to join his professional network on LinkedIN.

For your free place on his upcoming webinar please click here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/506475952

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