Navigating Tension in a Business Partnership

Adventures in Businessing: Entrepreneurship, Small Business, and a Healthy Dose of Humor

Show Notes:

• [0:00:38] Intro | Timely Topics
  • Last time on Adventures in Businessing
  • Quoting Nacho Libre
• [0:02:34] All Relationships Have Tension
  • How does one get around inevitable tension?
  • Tensions are typically a good sign that you care.
  • Have well-defined roles to alleviate the pressure and stress.
  • You need to be a little thick skinned.
  • Misalignment is the genesis of many tensions.
  • Navigating tension lies in transparency and communication.
  • Fundamental disagreements can happen.
• [0:10:05] If You Want to Navigate Tension Well, You Have to Navigate it Often
  • You have to talk about the business and eachother, the overall feeling, on a recurring basis.
  • If left unchecked, tension becomes passive aggressive tendencies, a lack of empathy for eachother, or outright hostility.
  • Embrace differences.
  • Be open about misunderstandings.
    • It's okay to be vulnerable and honest above being prideful and full of false confidence.
  • Trust above all else.
• [0:22:47] The Decision Matrix & Preemptively Stopping Tensions
  • Motivation
  • Goals
  • Vision
  • Values
  • Objectives
  • All should be heard and considered.
  • Bringing in a third voice/partner can help.
• [0:27:32] Conclusion & Takeaways
  • Communicating is key.
  • Assume the best.
  • Be willing to give and receive constructive critique.