by: Lynesha McElveen
In the past, I’ve talked about the importance of forming partnerships and leveraging the efforts of other people. Teamwork and forming partnerships is a key to success. There is no way as an entrepreneur we can do it all, however; working with other people can be a challenge. Learning the attitudes, attributes, strengths, weaknesses, or even pet peeves of others could be the missing link needed to take you to the next level.
Learning your partner is very important as it relates to all types of relationships. Whether personal or business, friendships or romantic, learning your partner can prove crucial in getting things done and accomplishing goals, while not learning your partner can prove disastrous. Here are some tips to help you learn your partner:
- Ask questions. This can be as simple as asking: What does partnership mean to you? How can we help each other? What are your goals for this partnership? Where do you see us going in the next year, 3 years, or 5 years?
- Listen attentively. This means to shut everything down. That means no texting, answering the phones, watching T.V., or doing anything distracting during conversations. Give the person you are communicating with your undivided attention.
- Compromise and Negotiate. Be willing to give and take. You may have to do some things you don’t want to do in your partnership. For example, if your partner doesn’t like marketing, and you are good at it but don’t like it either, you may have to suck it up and do it anyway.
- Do the things your partner likes. If you know your partners likes encouragement or praise then give it to them. If you know your partner likes an extra pat on the back, do it. If they like being acknowledged for their work, acknowledge them. If you don’t know what your partner likes, you can ask, or repeat tip 2.
- Do the things your partner needs. If your partner needs reminders then remind them. If your partner needs accountability, hold him/her accountable. If your partner needs support, be there! If you don’t know what your partner needs, ask.
- Do something special for your partner. Get a gift or go out of your way to show your partner your appreciation. It can be as simple as bringing your partner coffee or a favorite snack. Little things like this make people feel special and making people feel special will make them work harder for your partnership and harder for you!
- Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. It is very easy for us to judge others and wonder why they don’t do things the way we do them, but how many of us try to understand and get to the root of why that person does things that way. Doing this will give you perspective and help you better deal with that person and their “ways.”
- Accept the person for who they are. Don’t try to change the person, try to change yourself. The only person we can control is ourselves, and trying to change another will only frustrate and irritate you.
I hope these 8 steps will help you better learn your partner and give you the support you need to take your partnerships to the next level in every area of your life!
