Today successful leaders realize that no one department can be more important than another. Each affects the whole and must function at the same speed. Everyone must become an equal player in an interdependent chain. Their partnerships represent equals coming together to fulfill customer needs. We still talk about 'team work' but we're quickly progressing to a partnership mode.
Partnerships are different, more potent than traditional teams.
For example, members of a sales team used to be rugged individualists who went out alone and made sales. In our technological age, these same sales people are now often a member of a partnership of people that determines customers' needs and provides a broad range of solutions and supports. Such things as alternate proposals, financing, or technical expertise and a quick response cycle. The organizations that will flourish beyond 2000 are these whose members are empowered to form these valuable partnerships. Being a partner is more powerful than being a team member because each participant can potentially make a contribution equal to that of the highest level executive in the organization.