Today, I want to discuss a trio of essential ingredients for any successful collaboration: communication, competency, and commitment. We often refer to these as the Three C’s, and they serve as our GPS—guiding us toward effective partnerships and growth.
COMMUNICATION is crucial. The biggest failures often occur when there are gaps in communication. Everyone needs to understands their roles and responsibilities. A good communicator will pass on exactly what they are doing, why it matters, who is involved, and when tasks need to be completed. When everyone clearly understand their purpose, they can fully invest in the collaboration, leading to stronger commitment. In the publishing industry, this means open dialogue between authors, agents, editors, illustrators, and publishers. Without effective communication, misunderstandings can arise, which leads to confusion and missed opportunities—i.e. an author who submits a manuscript without understanding the editor’s vision may feel lost, like sailing a ship blindfolded.
Then there is COMPETENCY—having the right skills and expertise to execute plans effectively. Each person brings their unique strengths to the table, creating powerful synergy. In publishing, an illustrator’s creativity and storytelling ability should enhance and harmonize with an author’s skill in crafting a good story. If there’s a gap in competency—i.e. lacking the quality required—it can lead to frustration and setbacks, undermining trust and the quality of the final product.
Lastly, we have COMMITMENT- being dedicated to collaborating and investing time and resources. In publishing, this could look like an author dedicated to promoting their book while a publisher ensures the marketing strategy aligns with the author’s vision. When one partner is less committed, it creates an imbalance—one person doing all the heavy lifting while the other appears disengaged. This often creates resentment, weakening the partnership.
When all three C’s—competency, communication, and commitment—are aligned, we create a strong framework for success. Each reinforces the other, forming a solid foundation for our business and writing endeavours. But when even one of these elements is out of line, the consequences can be significant. We risk derailing proposals, weakening loyalty, and missing out on valuable opportunities.
In every industry, the Three C’s are essential for building lasting relationships. By nurturing open communication, fostering competency, and ensuring mutual commitment, collaborations are successful and create works that resonate with our audience.
What are makes your collaborations successful?
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