19 November 2009
Is There Such a Thing as Total Control in a Business Partnership?
Posted by Moss under: Navigating Partnerships .
What happens when you match a World Series of Poker Champion with a Friday night poker player who plays a friendly, weekly, low stakes game with his buddies? Chances are the poker champion will win…but not always! On any night the cards may fall in favor of the amateur. In other words, there is no such thing as total control. Sometimes, events are out of our control.
So what does poker have to do with partnerships? Partnerships require control to succeed. Control creates a sense of order instead of chaos or confusion. Setting objections and goals can provide such control. Likewise, if the partners have a process for acquiring and sharing information with each other, decision-making and problem solving will proceed in a more orderly manner.
Control is also provided when partners are clear about their respective roles and responsibilities. Overall, the more partners are on the same page with regard to these and other business-related issues, the greater the likelihood that a sense of control and order with be present.
There is an area that often creates a sense of confusion. When different behavioral styles are present, control can be threatened. For example, one partner may be comfortable with change and a fast paced environment white the other needs stability and a slower moving work environment. An understanding of each other’s behavioral style can lead to a more practical discussion on how to best proceed.
Bottom Line
- Don’t rely solely upon the business plan, goals, and roles to create a sense of control or order.
- Pay attention to differences between partners in the personal areas of risk taking, emotional decision-making, change tolerance, and how tiles are/aren’t followed.
- Try to understand these individual differences and be open to work out ways to co-manage together.
