PEOPLE SMARTS: Partnerships: A Real Asset

It occurred to me when I started GreenSearch almost 15 years ago that there exists a preponderance of partnerships in our industry. I then found a statistic suggesting a business begun by partners had greater potential for long-term survivability than one started by a single owner – but it takes a lot of work.

Larry Fish

Partnerships in business require many of the same characteristics found in long, enduring friendships. One common theme permeates both relationships – values count. To emphasize this last point, ask anyone in your circle of network contacts if that is true or not. My guess is the answer almost always is yes.
 
Successful partnerships, like friendships, endure because of a common belief in core, shared values. These values never dilute the individual strengths and creativity each partner brings to the enterprise. However, when the chips are down and tough decisions must be made based upon issues of character and what is the right thing to do, they are the glue that holds everything together. These values may vary in both number and description, but those who share them know what they are and when they should be applied without delay, debate or long-winded discussions.

Here are some values to consider.

Humility. Sooner or later, partnerships peel back the veneer that covers each individual’s strengths and weaknesses. Circumstances conspire and partners face the fact that one is clearly better than the other in certain aspects of the business. Many times this is a difficult admission to make and the potential for resentment and jealousy is great. Enduring partnerships avoid this pitfall by taking quiet pride in the other’s strengths and a sense of relief that this talent belongs to their team rather than with a competitor.

Loyalty. Partnerships, like friendships, have their ups-and-downs. Loyalty, though, never has a bad day. Like a laser beam, loyalty is straight and true. It is not adversely affected by its surroundings. As you look back in history, men and women have willingly given up much because of an unyielding sense of loyalty to a cause or another person. This principle holds steady and true in business.

Ability To Give And Take. No one has all of the answers all of the time. However, what separates success from failure is sound advice delivered in a timely fashion. The ability to take and give counsel requires  a willingness to take a chance on offending someone while offering a worthwhile and objective perspective. Just as important is the willingness to ask for counsel and take it seriously when it is given.

Honesty. This is a bedrock issue. Throughout history and the chronicles of many successful landscape businesses, there was the inevitable moment in each friendship in which there was nothing else to speak but the truth. The truth hurt in some situations and it was not until years later that the friends recognized the courage it took to be honest when it would have been easier to say nothing. Although it may appear to do otherwise, honesty strengthens any business relationship.
 
Clearly, these four values are but a few that could be applied successfully to business partnerships, but they do give us much to work with and consider.
 
Give your business partnerships and friendships some thought and attention daily.
 
The time we spend together in work is much greater than the time we spend with each other in almost any other endeavor. Every little bit helps.
 
Larry Fish is president of GreenSearch, a human resource consulting organization. He can be reached at 888/375-7787, peoplesmarts@gie.net or via www.greensearch.com. PeopleSmarts® is a registered trademark of GreenSearch.