Partnering by Jean Oelwang Summary
Overview of Partnering
In "Partnering," Jean Oelwang reveals how deep connections drive extraordinary impact, drawing wisdom from Nelson Mandela, Richard Branson, and the Carters. What counterintuitive truth did Mandela share that challenges our individualistic world and could transform your relationships forever?
Similar books to Partnering
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
When Loneliness Became an Epidemic
A Muslim investment banker and a Baptist former Green Beret walk into a room. This isn't the setup to a joke-it's the beginning of one of the most unlikely friendships you'll ever encounter. Azim Khamisa and Ples Felix met under the worst possible circumstances: Ples's fourteen-year-old grandson Tony had just killed Azim's son Tariq during a gang initiation. Yet instead of hatred, Azim extended his hand in forgiveness, inviting Tony's family into his home. What followed wasn't just personal healing-it became a decades-long partnership preventing youth violence across America. This story captures something we've forgotten in our relentless pursuit of individual success: the transformative power of deep human connection. We've been taught to compete, not collaborate. To climb ladders alone rather than build bridges together. The corporate world operates like a battlefield where colleagues are enemies and bonuses reward solo victories. But this mindset has cost us dearly. Loneliness now rivals smoking fifteen cigarettes daily in health damage. Young adults, despite endless digital connections, report the highest loneliness rates in history. We're more connected than ever yet profoundly alone. The solution isn't more networking events or LinkedIn connections. It's building what can be called Deep Connections-relationships that make both individuals better while making the world better. Through fifteen years studying over sixty extraordinary partnerships representing 1,500 years of collective wisdom, a clear pattern emerges: six degrees of connection that anyone can practice to transform shallow relationships into profound, world-changing bonds.
Something Bigger Than Yourself
The Commitment to the Commitment
The Moral Operating System
The Rituals That Bind Us
The Sparkles of Disagreement
From Two to Many-Scaling Connection
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Partnering Summary in 11 Minutes
Break down key ideas from Partnering into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Partnering in a Nutshell
Distill Partnering into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - Partnering Lessons Told Through 18-Min Stories
Experience Partnering through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Partnering Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the Partnering summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.