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Discomfort isn’t a barrier – it’s a beginning.
In the world of career development and newcomer support, partnerships are the heartbeat of progress. But let’s be honest – they rarely begin with ease. Whether you’re collaborating across cultures, sectors or values, the early stages of partnership often come with discomfort. That discomfort isn’t a sign to retreat; it’s an invitation to lean in.
Partnerships are a two-way street. They thrive not when one side leads and the other follows, but when both come to the table with curiosity, humility and a shared commitment to impact. When I approach a new collaboration, I try to lead with the mindset: “How can we both help each other to reach our goals?” By understanding what matters to my partners, I can better align my work to support their goals, while also creating space for them to support mine.
In my experience, the strongest partnerships emerge not from polished perfection, but from honest presence. When I bring my values, my lived experience and my voice to the table, I’m not just contributing – I’m co-creating. And that’s where real impact begins.
Shaye Belanger and Peggy Kelly will be presenting on “Transforming Self-doubt into Self-belief: Empower Yourself as a Professional” at CERIC’s Cannexus26 conference, taking place virtually and in-person, Jan. 26-28, 2026. Learn more and register at cannexus.ceric.ca.
Normalizing discomfort in early-stage partnerships
When two organizations come together – especially across cultural or sectoral lines – there’s bound to be friction. Different communication styles, timelines and expectations can make early conversations feel clunky. I’ve sat in meetings where no one quite knew how to begin, or where assumptions led to awkward silences. I’ve learned that naming the discomfort helps. Saying, “This might feel messy at first, and that’s okay,” creates space for honesty and growth. Discomfort is often a sign that we’re stepping outside our silos.
From uncertainty to intentional collaboration
The shift from “Can we work together?” to “How can we work together well?” is a turning point. It requires moving beyond transactional exchanges toward shared purpose. Through open dialogue and a willingness to listen, we find common ground.
Tools for trust
Three tools have consistently helped me navigate the discomfort of new partnerships:
- Empathy: Understanding where your partner is coming from organizationally and personally builds trust. Ask questions like, “What does success look like for you?” or “What are your constraints?”
- Communication: Clear, frequent and culturally aware communication is essential. This includes checking assumptions, clarifying expectations and being open to feedback.
- Shared values: When values align, strategy can follow. Whether it’s a commitment to equity, community empowerment or newcomer inclusion, naming your shared “why” keeps the partnership grounded.
Tools for building stronger career partnerships
Looking to strengthen newcomer-focused or cross-sector collaborations? These national resources offer practical guidance for career practitioners across Canada:
- CERIC – Offers research and guides on inclusive career development and partnership-building.
- Career Professionals of Canada (CPC) – Provides strategies and community support for working with newcomers.
- Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF) – Offers training modules on collaborative practice and outreach.
- Pan-Canadian Competency Framework (CDPC/CEDC) – Outlines key skills for partnership and community engagement.
These tools can help you move from uncertainty to intentional collaboration one conversation at a time.
Sustaining trust
Trust isn’t built in a single meeting; it’s sustained through consistency. That means following through on commitments, being transparent about limitations and checking in regularly. One of the most effective practices I’ve adopted is a simple post-project debrief: What worked? What didn’t? What can we do better next time? These conversations not only improve future collaborations they deepen the relationship.
Over the years, I’ve built partnerships with settlement agencies, employment centres, grassroots organizations and Local Immigration Partnership offices. One example of this was with the Local Immigration Partnership – Lanark & Renfrew County. They were looking to support newcomers with employment strategies and I was eager to offer a workshop on networking. Through open dialogue, we collaborated to bring to life a workshop on networking. The session not only helped participants build confidence and professional relationship, it also gave the organization new insights into how to structure future programming. Shared values can turn a one-time event into a lasting relationship.
Another impactful and meaningful collaboration was with World Skills Employment Centre & Immigrant Women Services Ottawa. Together, we collaborated on a vision board workshop. What began as uncertainty turned into a vibrant session where newcomer women shared their dreams, built connections and left with renewed confidence. One participant, who had recently arrived in Canada and felt unsure about her career path, placed “Girl Boss” boldly at the centre of her board. The workshop showed us that when partnerships are built on trust and shared intention, they can unlock transformation far beyond the original plan.
Best practices for building stronger partnerships
- Lead with curiosity, not assumptions. Ask questions before offering solutions. Understand your partner’s goals, challenges and community context.
- Start with “How can I help you help me?” Approach every collaboration as a two-way exchange. Mutual benefit builds trust and long-term engagement.
- Co-create, don’t just consult. Invite partners into the design process. Shared ownership leads to deeper impact and more relevant programming.
- Embrace discomfort as a signal for growth. Misalignment is natural. Use it as a starting point for honest dialogue and creative problem-solving.
- Communicate clearly and consistently. Set expectations early. Follow up often.
- Celebrate small wins together. Acknowledge a successful workshop, client breakthrough or new referral system to strengthen the relationship.
- Stay flexible and open to change. Needs evolve. Be willing to adapt your approach as the partnership grows.
- Document and reflect. Keep track of what worked, what didn’t and what surprised you. These insights fuel better future collaborations.
Discomfort as a compass
Discomfort is not a detour – it’s the path. It’s where we confront our assumptions, stretch our skills and build something stronger than we could have alone. In a sector rooted in equity and inclusion, we owe it to ourselves and to the communities we serve to lean into that discomfort with curiosity and care. Because when we do, we don’t just build partnerships. We build possibility.
