The management of partnerships with external consultants is discussed with reference to seven metaphors of partnership, illuminated by an external consultancy review of teaching and learning in a University Language Centre. Shortcomings are shown in each of the seven metaphors. A model of partnership is advocated, based on Habermas' principles of communicative action and the ideal speech situation, which addresses key components of partnership whose absence or neglect in the previous discussion was observed. The openness and cooperative search for truth abiding by the "unforced force of the better argument" which is required to sustain improvements to teaching and learning through effective partnerships is shown to reside within this model. Further, the communicative model supports facilitated and emergent improvements through self-organisation, themselves acting against ineffective bureaucratic strategies for improvement. Effective partnerships draw on social, affective and person-centred approaches, coupled with expertise and participatory approaches.