Ethics Explorer: Ethical Collaboration and Partnership in Social Performance
Welcome to Ethics Explorer, your monthly guide to navigating ethical challenges in social performance practice. Each month, we explore one of the core ethical principles that guide our profession, illustrated with real examples and practical guidance. This month’s Ethics Explorer focuses on Collaboration and Partnership in Social Performance.
Audio play here:
This Month’s Ethical Principle: Collaboration and Partnership
Building trusting relationships with communities and stakeholders is essential, seeking collaboration to foster mutual benefits and shared goals.
Example of this principle in social performance practice
Priya facilitates an inclusive impact-benefit agreement process, bringing together diverse community voices to create solutions that benefit all parties and reduce potential conflicts.
Example of how a practitioner can face a difficult decision because they see this principle as being conflicted at work
Ravi struggles to maintain collaborative relationships when competing community groups have conflicting interests in project benefits.
He faces multiple pressures:
- Different community factions demand exclusive partnerships
- Company policies require equal treatment of stakeholders
- Historical conflicts complicate collaboration efforts
- Project timeline requires quick partnership decisions
This highlights:
- Stakeholder dynamics: Managing competing interests and relationships
- Partnership equity: Ensuring fair collaboration opportunities
- Historical context: Navigating pre-existing community tensions
- Professional balance: Maintaining neutrality while building trust
