Leaders Navigating Business Relationships
Posted on December 08, 2022 by Jamey Gadoury, One of Thousands of Team Coaches on Noomii.
Leaders and entrepreneurs develop important relationships in the course of business. Sometimes those are strained when expectations fall short...
I recently had a coaching opportunity that reminded me of the below scenario. Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF):
Relationships matter. We may give something up just to preserve them.
A) It’s often worth it.
B) It may be the right thing to do.
C) How does any one person accurately delineate precise levels of contribution? Sweat, capital, reputation, connections – the best estimate is still only ballpark.
Recognize this scenario?
A handful of colleagues excitedly embark on a new business venture. A partnership forms. Time goes by. Maybe hard times, maybe wild success.
But…expectations change. Or weren’t as aligned as thought.
Difficult conversations loom. Or have already been had, with collateral damage.
How do you proceed?
How important are those relationships versus your expectations?
How will you adapt?
How will you navigate?
I was once part of a spin-off venture that quickly ran into these challenges. I remember a mentor of mine saying, “Each person comes to the table overestimating their own contributions and underestimating those of others. It’s human nature.”
These relationships matter. Slow down. Preserve them.
