Partner/Founder Consulting: What’s It All About?
Just a year ago everything was on track with your business. You and your partner had a plan, spending many hours (and also many sleepless nights) getting the business up and off the ground. Now, on the surface, things seem to be going great. You are making a profit and getting lots of interest from potential clients.Except that everything is not okay.Both of you have had interactions that caused tempers to flare. Then, perhaps you discovered your partner made an important decision affecting the company without you present, for example.You know that if the dynamics continue as-is, the business both of you worked so hard on will flounder.If this sounds familiar, then might be time for partner/founder consulting.
What Is Partner/Founder Consulting?
Partner/founder consulting is when you and your business partner take time in consultation sessions to understand and resolve your differences.Much like any relationship, when two people are connected together there will be ups and downs. This is true in both your personal life and professional endeavors.Of course, everyone knows that if you are having setbacks in your love life, it’s important to get help. Yet, when it comes to business relationships, that’s not always the case.As in any partnership, the relationship between business partners can crack and even fracture over time. Partner/founder consulting is meant to prevent this from happening.
Is This Like Couples’ Counseling?
It’s important to note that consulting is not like therapy. In therapy, there may be a specific diagnosis and treatment plan.Conversely, a consultant’s role is to advise and educate. They can take an outsider’s perspective of your organization and notice problems that you might not even realize exist.One similarity between therapy and consulting it that it’s ultimately up to you and your partner whether to take the advice of your consultant or not. However, doing nothing only means wasted time and energy, hurt feelings, and possibly the end of your partnership.In some ways, partner/founder consulting and couples’ counseling are alike in that you are addressing the relationship you have with someone important in your life.
What Can a Partner/Founder Consultant Do?
There are several things that a consultant can do to help you and your business partner. For example:
Observe trends and patterns in your business partnership.
Teach communication and listening skills.
Help you both to resolve differences.
Provide an emotionally safe space to discuss these issues.
A partner/founder consultant’s role is to empower both of you with the knowledge and skills to make the best choices for your business relationship.Another important role a partner/founder consultant can fill is to provide assessment in areas important for business success, such as:
Leadership styles
Personality testing
Values
What motivates you
How you each resolve conflict
All this data can be very useful for you, your business partner, and the consultant. Together, you and your partner can better understand how you communicate and work together. Additionally, you will also learn in which ways you don’t work well with each other either.For example, perhaps you are a detail-oriented person while your partner is more focused on the “big picture.” Both styles are helpful for running a successful company. At least, until you start clashing with each other.These assessments will provide the information you need to work better as a team.—Running a business with a partner or co-founder involve many of the same skills for private relationships. Solid communication skills, an ability to truly listen to someone, and knowing how to complement each other’s styles are critical for success.If you feel that your professional relationship with your partner/founder needs help, consider seeking out support from a business partner/founder consultant. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me for help.