What do you do if your career goals clash with your partners' objectives?

When you start a business with a partner, you may have a shared vision and mission, but that doesn't mean you will always agree on how to achieve them. Sometimes, your career goals may clash with your partner's objectives, creating tension and conflict in your partnership. How can you handle this situation without jeopardizing your relationship and your business? Here are some tips to help you navigate this challenge.

1 Communicate openly

The first step to resolving any disagreement is to communicate openly and respectfully. Don't assume you know what your partner wants or needs, and don't hide your own aspirations or frustrations. Instead, have a honest and constructive conversation, where you listen to each other's perspectives, acknowledge each other's feelings, and express your own concerns and expectations. Try to understand the root cause of the clash, and avoid blaming or criticizing each other.

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Frank Knoche, Dr. (PhD)

CEO @ headfinders | Executive Search | Executive Coaching | Executive Management
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When your career goals clash with your partner's objectives, engage in open communication and seek common ground. Discuss each other's general objectives and aspirations. Identify areas where your goals align and where compromises may be necessary. Finding a balance that respects both individuals' ambitions is key to maintaining a healthy relationship while pursuing personal and professional growth.

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Jane Bayler

Helping Sector Experts Multiply Income, Impact & Reach I Develop Turnkey Systems For Growth I Brand Marketer & Developer I Top 2% Global Podcaster I Amazon #1 Author I VNXD (Virtual Non Execs) Event Host
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This is such sound advice. As the famous thought leader Steven Covey once said: ‘seek to understand before being understood.’ Blame and judgement has no place in resolving conflict or any kind. It just introduces negativity that means constructive progress is harder to achieve.

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Mohan Kamath

Partner @ SMG Consulting & Training | Management Consultant Helping Entrepreneurs Deliver Results through People & Process
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Each of us goes through tough moments which define us. In moments where you see such a conflict of views with your partner talk with your partner about - "what" it means to you - "listen" to your partners perspective, not to question or evaluate, but understand Beware of being authoritative & manipulative. It is not about just finding a mid-way, it is going beyond it to figure out what really matters in the activity and relationship. Openness needs to be solicited at times.

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Mohan Kamath

Partner @ SMG Consulting & Training | Management Consultant Helping Entrepreneurs Deliver Results through People & Process
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Each of us goes through tough moments which define us. In moments where you see such a conflict of views with your partner talk with your partner about - "what" it means to you - "listen" to your partners perspective, not to question or evaluate, but understand Beware of being authoritative & manipulative. It is not about just finding a mid-way, it is going beyond it to figure out what really matters in the activity and relationship. Openness needs to be solicited at times.

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2 Find common ground

After you have communicated openly, try to find some common ground between your career goals and your partner's objectives. What are the values and principles that guide your partnership? What are the long-term and short-term goals that you both agree on? How can you align your individual interests with the best interests of the business? Finding common ground can help you reaffirm your commitment and trust in each other, and create a sense of shared purpose and direction.

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Saylor Young

Small Business Owner at Bayside Employment Services
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Usually, the goals are only different in effect, not intent. By communicating the intent of the goals to each other, you will often find you actually have the same "goal" in mind. If there has been an area of growth that doesn't align with one partner's goals, there may be a need to revisit their overall business plan. Making sure to be flexible to the growth of your business, and adjusting your goals accordingly can prevent friction between partners.

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3 Compromise and negotiate

Sometimes, finding common ground may not be enough to resolve the clash, and you may have to compromise and negotiate. This means that you have to be willing to give and take, and to respect each other's boundaries and preferences. For example, you may have to adjust your workload, your schedule, your role, or your compensation, to accommodate your partner's needs or requests, and vice versa. You may also have to agree on some trade-offs, such as sacrificing some short-term gains for long-term benefits, or prioritizing some projects over others. Compromise and negotiation require mutual respect and cooperation, and a willingness to find a win-win solution.

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4 Seek external support

If you and your partner are unable to resolve the clash on your own, you may need to seek external support. This could be in the form of a mediator, a mentor, a coach, a consultant, or a trusted advisor, who can help you facilitate the dialogue, provide objective feedback, offer expert advice, or suggest alternative options. Seeking external support can help you gain new insights, perspectives, and skills, and overcome any impasse or deadlock that may arise in your partnership.

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5 Revisit and review

Finally, after you have resolved the clash, you should revisit and review your partnership agreement and your career goals regularly. This can help you monitor your progress, evaluate your results, celebrate your achievements, and address any new issues or challenges that may emerge. Revisiting and reviewing can also help you maintain a healthy and productive partnership, and adapt to any changes or opportunities that may arise in your business environment.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your career goals clash with your partners' objectives?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Communicate openly

2 Find common ground

3 Compromise and negotiate

4 Seek external support

5 Revisit and review

6 Here’s what else to consider

Partnerships

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What do you do if your career goals clash with your partners' objectives?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Communicate openly

2 Find common ground

3 Compromise and negotiate

4 Seek external support

5 Revisit and review

6 Here’s what else to consider

Partnerships

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