When Partners Disagree The Business Must Take Priority

I have witnessed and participated in many partnership breakups. What a problem, as typically the business ends. No one wins, everyone loses.

I am counseling two partners right now that are confronting this issue. Each partner wants to go in a different direction and is trying to force the business–and eachother–to go their way. The effect this has had is that now one partner wants to leave the partnership, which may have a crippling effect on the business as he plays a critical role. Each partner is only thinking about himself and his own needs. This is the mistake.

It is OK to have different opinions and desires. It is also OK to disagree and not be able to sway one another. However, the context must always be what is in the best interest of the business as that is where all the value is. If the disagreement destroys the business, all that has been accomplished is a huge loss for both partners, as well as for the employees and their families depending on their paychecks. The context must be one of self-sacrifice for the benefit of the business or all value will be lost.

Even if the partners disagree vehemently, the effort must be to find a path, a strategic one, on which the partners can coexist and the business can survive, even if this requires both partners to compromise more than they each want. Their actions must be made in the light most beneficial to the business or all will be lost.

Even if one partner wants to exit (as in the current situation I am monitoring), there is a transition plan available that will require cooperation and some time to implement but the result is continuity for the business and thus, value for both partners. This is a better plan than trashing the business because one partner withdraws without a transition plan. This seemingly selfless act does require sacrifice from both sides, but in the end, it is a very self-serving act as the business and its inherent value as a going concern will have been protected.