Solid advice for public health workers - How to partner.

Many of us move from across multiple work locations and subsequently engage in “office surfacing” – that is temporarily hanging out in other people’s home office space.  It can provide an interesting glimpse in individual lifestyles and values. And so it was recently, hanging in a office as a set of value statements, but rings so true for those that choose public health as a vocation – and perhaps for just good everyday advice. Modified for this readership and there is no reference to the source available - some principles for public health workers to work by:

1.       Be clear on your goals and objectives – what is it that you want to achieve?

2.       Assume everyone is a potential ally – look for what others bring that will aid in your effort, and there is always something.

3.       Relationships are foundational:  – build relationships, which builds trust, which builds understanding and that you build just about anything.

4.       Look at the world from the eyes of the other person:  understand what they what and what they see. When they believe you have understood their position, it is a step in the relationship process.

5.       Find the common currency: – each of us is swayed by an incentive, whether moral principles, money, power, common values etc.   Learn to negotiate around the common currency

6.       Negotiation is a give and take process: Remember you need to give before you can expect others to offer you something in return. 

Public health professionals are inherent masters in working with others, building partnerships and collaborating.  It is nice to see the key elements of partnering so succinctly documented,  and a fervent reminder of why public health is a vocation and not just a job.