Conflicts among business partners are not that uncommon. So what do you do when you have to resolve such tension among you and your partners? Let us find out.
Table of Contents
#1 Asking the Right Questions
A Communication gap is one of the biggest reasons why conflicts arise among partners. Be it a friend or a business partner, without maintaining proper communication, you cannot expect things to go smoothly between you. So the moment you see a conflict or tension building between you guys, you should first communicate with one another and sort it out. And the best way to initiate that conversation is by asking the right questions.
Start by asking yourselves why there was a conflict in the first place. Address the elements or events that led up to the conflict. Finally, settle down on possible reasons as to why there is tension or conflict between you and your partner/s.
After that, ask one another how you guys can solve the problems at hand. It is vital to listen and respect what others say here. The tone you use in these conversations is an important factor in resolving conflict. Do not use a tone that feels unwelcoming or threatening. Keep things polite and respectful, listen to each other, and you can find a probable solution to resolving the conflict.
#2 Bringing in an Outsider to Moderate the Discussions
Conflicts can sometimes turn into wars. As the situation escalates, it is natural that the partners will not be willing to hear from one another. In such situations, holding a discussion amongst them can get chaotic. Besides, since no one will be eager to listen to the others, there is no point in having such conversations.
Thus comes the need for an outsider to come in and moderate the discussions. Of course, this individual cannot be some random person. At the same time, it cannot be someone biased to one or more of the partners. It has to be someone who knows the business, knows its leaders, and can respect its privacy.
At the same time, this individual needs to make sure everyone is on board with what he or she deems as the final verdict or decision after the discussion. It would be best if this person is a Townsville business lawyer. However, they can be anyone acquainted with the company and its people, whether it’s a director, investor or even a trusted employee or partner.
#3 Seeking Help from the Professionals
When all else fails, you need to call in the professionals. Business growth consultant companies can help you out in this regard. Coachwell is one such organization that can help you and your partners end your conflicts, and begin anew. The company has a good reputation for ensuring the growth and success of its clients. It also helps them solve internal disputes.
Coachwell will come in and make sure everyone involved in the conflict has a voice. They will re-establish the broken relationship among the partners by first understanding their internal dynamics, and then by listening to their feedback and opinions.
The people from Coachwell will also work out ways to install boundaries between the partners if necessary. After they intervene, you are bound to see drastic changes in the relationship between you and your partners.
#4 Respecting Your Commitments
Most disputes come to an end when the parties involved make certain promises or commitments. And to ensure a healthy and prosperous relationship between you and your partners in the future, all of you will have to live up to your promises. Any sort of deviation from your word can ruin things permanently. And there will be no going back if that happens.
#5 Finding Out New Ways to Make Things Work
An important aspect of conflict resolution is to reach a middle ground or a conclusion where all parties involved are satisfied. Sometimes, it is hard to settle on such a middle ground if the existing company or business infrastructure is unsatisfactory. In that case, you might need to make changes. This could be a change in the hierarchy or the company’s business model. Of course, such changes will take time, and you must consult the other leaders in your company before making these decisions.
Once you have done all this, you can rest assured that the conflicts or tension between you and your partners will go away. In some cases, however, things might never improve. Only in those circumstances should you think of taking drastic measures. Splitting up is one of the most common ways to put an end to these things. And when push comes to shove, you have to go ahead with it.