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The company was doing well,
customers were coming in, and everything looked great right up to the point
where the partners split up and closed the doors. Another business failure
for the books but what went wrong? About two thirds of partnerships break up
within five years even if the business is doing well. And it's even worse
when there are problems.
How partners handle their differences is
vital. The good and bad news about partnerships is that they are like
marriages. They are very intimate relationships that must, by virtue of
human nature, have some degree of conflict. People are different. The bad
news is that the differences lead to divorce. The good news is that the very
same differences can be the ticket to success. When partners realize that
their differences are important and learn how to build on them, they can
behave in a synergistic manner rather than falling into unresolved conflict.
If the partners were identical in their interest, skills, opinions, and
thinking, one of them would be redundant. Organizations, including
partnerships, need the balance that comes from diversity.
The dark side of diversity
often leads to conflict. This is especially true when something goes wrong
in the business and tensions are high. Feelings get hurt and the partners
tend to move apart and argue rather than to cooperate. The organization
suffers as interpersonal issues divert energy from solving problems and
getting the job done. In these cases troubled partnerships can often benefit
by bringing in outside professionals who are skilled in problem analysis and
problem solving. Professionals can help the partners address the outstanding
issues, find their common ground, accept their differences, and create an
acceptable working arrangement.
Problem-Solving methods can help a great deal in difficult situations.
Use the process to defuse and avoid interpersonal conflict. Focus on the
problem rather than positions and personalities.
"Quarrels
would not last long if the fault were only on one side."
La Rochefoucauld, Maxims
Check out the article
Problem Solving - 3 step
guide.
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