You and your business partner may disagree on certain matters from time to time, including whether you should hire new employees, how to reinvest in the business, how to solve a problem and so on. These issues don’t necessarily mean the partnership can no longer continue, as you may be able to solve them.
Here is how to handle conflict with your business partner:
Communicate respectfully
Despite having contradicting views about a matter, you should respect your partner. Listen to their opinions without interrupting and relay yours. Assess if you can find a middle ground. If neither of you is willing to compromise, consider having a neutral third party, such as a mediator, to help you.
Focus on the facts
Chances are both your views may be in the company’s best interest. Thus, you should establish the facts, each party explaining why their suggestion should be implemented. You and your partner should operate from a realistic perspective.
Try to lighten the atmosphere
You don’t need to solve a partnership conflict in the office with both of you sitting on opposite sides. This can create tension. If possible, talk it out when having lunch or playing a video game – whatever you and your partner typically do for fun. When you remove tension, it can be easier to understand each other’s views and develop a solution.
Partnership disputes can often be solved. But if the conflict between you and your partner is not within your abilities to resolve, get legal help to know your options.