How to Create Healthy Partnering Relationships in Small Business
by Carol Bowser

"A prudent person avoids unpleasant things; a wise man overcomes them." Michael Lipman 

"He is driving me crazy!" 

"She is a total whack job, and she is my webmaster!" 

"I am trying to remain professional, but he will not return my calls!"

Sound familiar?  As a business owner it is essential to develop relationships with a wide variety of people.  Some interactions are effortless. Some keep us awake at night.  In an effort to help you sleep and develop strong and profitable business relationships, here are some things to consider.

Surrounding yourself with people who have different approaches can be a valuable resource.  You can gain insight. Be intellectually and creatively inspired.  For example, if you are a creative thinker partnering with someone who can help you translate a vision into SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant & Timely) goals can be the thing that takes your business to the next level.  Alternatively, if you are a "risk minimizing person" pairing with someone who has a "benefit maximizing" view of life can help you expand your thinking.

In either case, it is a matter of identifying and managing the differences.

The stress and lack of sleep results from clashes of styles and competing expectations that seem unmanageable.   The key is to recognize and manage the differences. Here is how...

Deliberately reflect on and articulate your expectations and working assumptions from the relationship. 

Talk about what you view as "deal breaker" items with your potential collaborator.  For example, do you view "deadline" as a drop dead date or is it merely a target?  Do you expect phone calls to be returned within 2 business days?  Do you believe that if something is really important, your collaborator will pick up the phone or is email or text the preferred method of communication? 

Behaviors that are "obvious" or "just common sense" to you are based on your life experience.  Not everyone has the same experience as you.  Let's be frank here.  Some people are in business for themselves because they could not be employees of anyone else.

As you enter into any working relationship(collaborator, partner, employer or contractor) consider how this relationship will work.  Take a minute to discuss styles, expectations and assumptions.  If your styles are different, ask yourself "Is this a style difference you can tolerate?" Or will you be working too far out of your comfort zone. Remember, when it comes to creating healthy partnering relationships, taking the time to identify and manage the differences is key.

For a great resource on navigating differing work styles, check out The Way We Work by Cynthia Ulrich-Tobias.