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How Do I Know If I Have A Good Partner?

Guest post by: Adam Sonnhalter

Article Overview: Most people have a strong feelings about partners (whether it be in business or in life). In our unscientific survey over the years, we've been surprised to find that most people have negative feelings when it comes to partners in business. So one of the questions people often have for us is, "What makes a good partner?" While I could pontificate on many items that would make a good vs. a bad partner, the basic question you should ask yourself if you have a partner is this:

How Do I Know If I Have A Good Partner?

Most people have a strong feelings about partners (whether it be in business or in life). In our unscientific survey over the years, we've been surprised to find that most people have negative feelings when it comes to partners in business. In most cases those negative feelings have resulted from one bad experience with a partner in business. That seems silly to us. It's like having a bad personal relationship with a significant other or spouse and then saying, "I'm never going to get involved in another serious relationship."

Why let one bad experience with partners hold you back in your business life?

In our business coaching practice, approximately one-third of our clients over the years have involved partnerships/multiple owners. We've worked with everyone from husband and wife teams to in-laws to siblings to best friends and everything in between.

Not only have we advised these partners, but Jack and I are also partners in our business. I personally grew up around it with my parents who have run a business together for over 30 years.

So one of the questions people often have for us is, "What makes a good partner?" While I could pontificate on many items that would make a good vs. a bad partner, the basic question you should ask yourself if you have a partner is this:

Does my partner make me AND the business better?

It's really that simple. If you can answer yes to both of those questions, then chances are you have a good partner. If not, something is definitely lacking.

How can you tell if your partner makes you and the business better? Here are a couple of things to consider. Does your partner:

• challenge you?
• hold you accountable to make sure you do what you say you're going to do?
• listen to you (really listen to you)?
• communicate with you about the important things in your business?
• focus on what's best for the organization and not just what's best for him/her?
• talk about you the same way whether you're in the room or not?
• tell you what you NEED to hear instead of what you WANT to hear?
• cover for you when the need arises?
• give you a pat on the back when deserved?
• encourage you?
• bring new ideas to the table?
• have fun?

Oh, by the way, how would your partner respond to these same questions about you? Would you be viewed as a good partner?

We contend that a business that has good partners will have more success in the long run than a business that does not have good partners.

We know this from personal experience, both in our business coaching practice as well as in prior companies we've owned.

We also see it with our business coaching clients. Even for our clients who do not have partners, one of the things they get from us is that "partner" in the business to help move them forward.

So how is your partnership?

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Article Tags: fighting with business partner, getting on same page with partner, good partners, multiple owners



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