Some conversations spark something … shared energy, aligned goals, a glimpse of what could be possible. But even the most promising connections can stall—not for lack of intent, but for lack of next steps. This series’ focus on collaboration has left me reflecting on a pressing challenge: In a sector full of bold ideas and[…]
Category: Collaboration & Cross-Sector Work
What Real Collaboration Requires—But Rarely Gets
Several years ago, while based in the field, I joined a roundtable convened by the local office of a major donor agency exploring a new initiative. It was unusual—not because of who was in the room, but because of when they brought us together. Instead of gathering partners to share information on already approved plans,[…]
What It Takes to Spark Real Collaboration: Lessons from Practice and Recent Conversations
Collaboration is often championed as key to solving complex challenges. But what does it actually take to work effectively across sectors such as business, government, philanthropy, and civil society? Over the past few weeks, I’ve been exploring how we move beyond surface-level coordination toward genuine co-creation, especially in times of uncertainty. The Business Fights Poverty[…]
The Missing Middle in Collaboration
Collaboration has become a buzzword that’s often suggested in meetings, proposals, and strategies, especially in times of crisis or constraint. It’s an answer we reach for when challenges multiply or resources tighten. But for all the talk of partnership, something essential is missing in many systems: the space between silos where collaboration truly happens. It’s[…]
Who’s Missing from Your Strategy Table? Why Frontline Voices are Key to Lasting Impact
Some problems are too complex, too systemic, or too urgent to solve with top-down strategies or siloed solutions. And yet, far too often, that’s exactly how we still try to tackle them—by gathering decision-makers in a room, setting priorities, and launching initiatives without fully engaging the people who live the reality every day. This isn’t[…]
Transforming Silos into Synergy: The Role of Cross-Sector Collaboration in Navigating the Foreign Aid Crisis
Building Synergy: Collaboration as the Key to Impact Think of each sector—public, private, nonprofit, NGO, philanthropy, academia, technology, impact investing, social enterprise, and CSR—as unique puzzle pieces. Each holds valuable insights and expertise on its own, but only when they interlock do we see the full picture. The global development and social impact landscape has[…]
