Why do meetings matter for business partnerships?
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It is not surprising that meetings have a bad reputation among business partners and in businesses in general. Too often, little gets accomplished. Meetings can be boring and time-consuming, and sometimes emotions take over when disagreements arise. And yet, as a business coach, I insist that partners meet regularly, both with each other and with their teams.
Partners who do not meet regularly to clarify responsibilities, plan, and strategize are jeopardizing both their partnership and their business. I know from experience that when partners and departments within a business don't communicate, opportunities are missed, money is left on the table, and eventually I may receive a call to help rescue a struggling partnership.
When Business Partners Stop Communicating
Tad and Jonathan were ready to quit when they called me. Each accused the other of not fulfilling the tasks they were obligated to do. As I am accustomed to discovering about partners when I receive this type of call, they barely remember the last time they met to discuss the business. Each does whatever he thinks he should and views the other as the problem when things don’t seem to work.
It was mind boggling to hear that each had a slightly different picture of where they were and where they were going. As they worked separately without consulting each other, the space between their individual perceptions was widening.
Rebuilding Trust Through Communication
I started by facilitating the difficult conversation between them, where I taught them how to listen to each other. They were grateful and amazed that they could have a conversation without letting emotions take over. That brought them to the realization that their original desires and dreams for the business were still the same, and they actually still liked each other. It became clear that the resentment each had been harboring toward the other was the result of not communicating.
Each was doing what he thought he should, but they were on separate paths. Tad was in charge of finances and the IT department. Managers of the various teams—design, production, marketing, and fulfillment—reported directly to Jonathan. But even the team managers didn't meet, and there was no structure in place to discuss how everything fit into the bigger picture of the original vision and mission the partners had established.
One of the greatest advantages of having a business partner had been overlooked: having someone with whom to share responsibilities, brainstorm new ideas, and regularly evaluate what was working and what wasn't.
One reason regular communication matters is that business partners do not necessarily see the same situation in the same way. Our Perceptual Style influences what we naturally notice, value, and consider important. Without opportunities to compare perspectives, partners can unknowingly develop very different understandings of the same business challenges, priorities, and opportunities.
Why Regular Partnership Meetings Matter
Regular meetings with focused, meaningful agendas help business partners stay aligned, evaluate progress, resolve misunderstandings, and keep the different parts of the business working toward shared goals.
Make communication a priority. Schedule time at least once a week to discuss both the big picture and the details. Review what is working, identify what needs attention, and make sure responsibilities and expectations remain clear.
Your partnership is one of your business's most important assets. Protect it through consistent communication, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to the vision that brought you together.
Have you experienced the difference that regular, meaningful meetings can make in a business partnership or team? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
Discover how understanding Perceptual Style can improve communication, strengthen business partnerships, and help teams work more effectively together. Explore The Power of Your Perception.
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About Lynda-Ross
Lynda-Ross Vega is a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd. She specializes in helping corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals with interpersonal communications, team dynamics, personal development, and navigating change. Lynda-Ross is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary behavioral psychology theory and assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their natural strengths and build the life and career they dream of.
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