In tough economic and political times, it’s easy to assume that companies will put partnerships on hold. The instinct is to hunker down, wait out the storm, and hope for better days.

But now is exactly the time to lean in. Charities and companies need each other more than ever — to navigate uncertainty, drive impact, and come out stronger on the other side.

That’s why it’s crucial for charity leaders to stay confident, lead with purpose, and show their teams what’s possible. Here are 3 power moves you can make right now to unlock the full potential of corporate partnerships.

Lead the charge

Successful corporate partnerships start from within.  When charity leaders lead with energy, it’s contagious, lifting teams, motivating trustees, and rallying supporters. That spark spreads, creating momentum that powers the whole organisation forward.

As the Motivational speaker Tony Robbins says, “Energy is not only the basis of our existence, it is the fuel that makes everything in our lives real and possible.”

Energy isn’t just a force; it’s something you create. It’s how you bring your team together, inspire your trustees to lead boldly, and empower colleagues to build on each other’s ideas with purpose. If you’re not bringing energy, why would anyone else?

To lead the charge, reconnect with what fuels your energy, it sparks belief, inspires ideas, and builds the foundation for success.

Paint a picture of success

Corporate partnerships success starts with vision. Remarkable leaders inspire belief by helping others see the mission clearly. When teams, trustees, and partners understand the impact they’re making, they feel part of something bigger. It’s about creating a vision so compelling that it draws people in, even when challenges arise.

When I led a sales team at Sony, standing on stage at the awards ceremony after winning our first division award, I saw an opportunity to Paint a Picture of Success. I asked the team, “Where do we want to be this time next year?” That question sparked a shared vision and strategic focus that brought us back to the stage three years in a row.

To build shared vision and momentum in fundraising, craft a compelling narrative that helps your team see not just the mission, but the tangible impact they can create together. When everyone shares your vision, ambition transforms into achievement, driving remarkable outcomes.

Inspire laser like focus

When building corporate partnerships, it’s easy to think that a long list of prospects is a sign of progress. But lots of prospects can quickly become a trap. A lengthy list is overwhelming, and most teams never get past the first few names. Worse still, it often leads to a scattergun approach — sending generic messages to dozens of companies and hoping something sticks.

This “spray and pray” method rarely delivers results. It wastes time, drains energy, and leads to disappointment.

A better strategy is to focus your efforts on a small number of well-qualified prospects. These are the companies that align with your mission, have real potential to make an impact, and are far more likely to convert into meaningful partnerships.

Encourage your team to go deep, not wide — and keep their attention locked on the opportunities that matter most. As Stephen Covey wisely said, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

If you want build game-changing corporate partnerships, connect with us on LinkedIn: Remarkable Partnerships, Jonathan Andrews, Georgina Oxlade and Peter Chiswick

Find out more about our corporate partnerships accelerator Remarkable10