A coalition brings together groups that have different but common goals or values and combines their resources to be more powerful than they would be on their own. Coalitions are often formed in political or governmental affairs to amplify voices and achieve desired outcomes. They can also be found in communities and businesses.
Coalitions have a variety of strengths but they can also produce weaknesses. They can have difficulties reaching common objectives or agreeing on strategies. They can also have issues with sharing decision-making, resources and responsibilities.
In coalitions there is often a need to compromise between the positions of member groups and between individual members. This can cause resentment and can reduce effectiveness.
There can be conflicts of interest – some groups may be more interested in their own self-interest and what they will get out of the coalition rather than how it will benefit the community. In coalitions it is important to understand the dynamics of each group and to respect their autonomy and integrity.
The success of a coalition depends on effective communication. It is helpful to set up procedures early on for communications, meetings and reporting. In addition it is essential to identify potential obstacles and to be proactive in finding ways to overcome them. This includes anticipating where disagreements will occur and finding ways to address them – for example through a joint statement or press release. It is also important to have a clear decision-making process and a governance structure.