My business partner and I just can't agree - here's what to do

dollhouse: design studio

Fun fact: Blue is widely associated with trust and reliability in branding, which is why it is one of the most commonly used colors in industries like tech and finance.

The issue: 

Your business partner, Agnes, can't seem to agree on decisions. In other words, neither of you wants to give in.

Let's say you and Agnes co-own a design studio together.

An example: 

Agnes wants to offer discounts to customers. You feel that this gives your design studio a less premium feel and also undermines the time and effort it takes to create your designs.

Neither of you want to give in - you believe your decision is definitely better than the other person's. You don't know how to compromise here - you either give discounts or you don't.

Two hidden costs:

1. Your start to question is your partner is truly compatible with you.
2. You begin to avoid discussing ideas, choosing to brainstorm on your own to avoid conflict early on.

The reasons:

Here are the reasons why you and Agnes can't agree (and/or):

• You have different fundamental goals or visions for your business.
• You're not yet seeing the underlying motives for each of your decisions.
• You're each trying to assert a sense of control and power, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Your quick fix (honoring autonomy): 

Your goal is to figure out the main, core motivation behind each person's decision.

Our decisions and desires are driven by underlying values. By understanding those values, we can find a common bridge between them, not just between the surface-level wants.

• Can you figure the deeper value behind why Agnes wants to offer discounts and why you don't?
• Is there another separate value that you both can agree to focus on without conflicting with either of your deeper values?

If YES, you can make compromises.

If NO, you have a fundamental incompatibility - your core values are different.

Mending your partnership:

Book a consultation with Valerie.

Vetting for the future:

If you are searching for a business partner in the future, first figure out what their core values are and if they align with yours.

This will ensure that you can make decisions from alignment.

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