How is Business Partner Therapy Like Couple’s Therapy?
When couples run into snags, they often seek the counsel of a relationship therapist. Whether they’re working through communication challenges, trust issues, parenting differences, or financial complications, an objective third party can help smooth things out. As a therapist and executive coach, I’ve often noted the similarities between problems faced by significant others and those faced by business partners.
Connection with another human is the foundational element that makes any relationship positive and satisfying. When romantic partners are connected and on the same page, they feel secure in making plans for the future. It’s the same for business partners. Connection and synergy allow future plans to emerge so that partners feel confident in moving forward with one another. Your relationship with your business partner(s) is one of your company’s most valuable assets.
Clear, direct communication builds trust. Identifying how you feel and what you need, and being able to clearly state this helps couples understand one another and have confidence in the relationship. These skills are mirrored in business as well. When business partners withhold information or focus on being nice instead of being direct and sincere, the business is going to be negatively affected. Working with a therapist or coach to hone communication skills is always a profitable investment.
One of the primary issues couples bring to therapy is a concern about trusting one another. Sometimes this problem arises because one member of the couple is behaving in an untrustworthy manner. At other times, a partner is having difficulty trusting because of their own baggage unrelated to the present relationship. I see similar concerns in business relationships. One business partner may be behaving in an overtly dishonest way, or may be withholding information that is bringing up mistrust. Conversely, another partner may be feeling fears or insecurities about the business arrangement, causing them to have a hard time trusting and manifesting in trying to over-control the situation. When this happens, getting to the root of the mistrust and making necessary corrections is more easily accomplished with the help of a coach or therapist outside the business.
A common area of disagreement in couples is child rearing. Often there is one strict parent and one permissive parent, and getting them to see eye-to-eye can be challenging. However, seeing parents as a united front helps kids feel secure and confident in their home life. With business partners, a similar issue appears when it comes to managing employees. Deciding on a management style and staying consistent with it creates a company culture of trust and security. While each partner brings different strengths to the table, it’s important to unify on how policies are implemented and enforced. When there are disagreements about leadership and management, talking with an objective party can be invaluable in helping business partners get aligned.
Money can be a stressor in even the most secure couples. How resources are brought into the household and how they are spent can be a huge source of contention, and couples often come to therapy to work through these issues. I help them discover and explain what’s important, and we work together to create a plan that works for both partners. Similarly, deciding how to prioritize finances in a business is a pivotal component of the success of that enterprise. Financial disagreements can strain a business relationship to its breaking point if they are not handled properly and promptly. If you and your business partners are struggling with financial decisions, we can work together to determine the path that makes most sense for the business as well as the stakeholders.
Business partners likely spend more time together each day than they do with their significant others. When they can understand the issues getting in their way and work through them with a seasoned therapist or coach, they increase their personal satisfaction as well as the success of their business.