When business partners get along, they can take the company from strength to strength. A functional partnership means sharing various responsibilities. But a partnership only remains functional in the right conditions. Partners need to communicate, compromise and focus on the best interests of the business.
When partners fall out, this can be detrimental to the business. What are some signs that a partnership dispute may be approaching?
A change in tone
Everyone has bad days, and this includes business partners. Nonetheless, sustained negative behavior is a different thing altogether. If your business partner suddenly becomes snappy and defensive when you ask them a question, this is a sign that they have something heavy on their mind. Subtle hostilities are often the precursor to a much more serious partnership dispute.
When the talking stops
Not every partnership dispute starts with hostilities. In some cases, the opposite can happen. Your partner may stop communicating altogether, which is just as serious.
Other signs
In some cases, your partner may become much more friendly. While this may appear to be a positive at first, it could also be a sign that something is amiss. Sometimes, people become overly friendly before lodging a formal complaint or entering a dispute. The key theme here is to be aware of any drastic changes in the conduct of your partner.
All business partnerships should be backed up by a partnership agreement. Not only can this help to prevent disputes, but it can help to resolve them. If you suspect a dispute is coming, it’s important to seek early legal guidance.
