Isn’t it amazing that the further we move forward in relationships; the slower the journey seems to go. The biggest stumbling block that seems to appear in all ‘partnerships’ is the ability to confront mistakes, or oversights and moving on in a positive direction, no worse for the experience. Every person that we make contact with is a relationship just waiting to blossom; whether it be in business or in personal life with the undertones of success and a task well done.

What do you do when the well-oiled machine breaks down? A couple of options come to mind. 1) Ignore the problem, act like everything is okay and move forward, 2) Look at the problem and create a temporary solution (The in-the-mean-time gambit) 3) Look long and hard at the problem, communicate with all parties concerned and create a community solution which everyone can work with. I like option 3) and here is why….

If everyone just looks after their own affairs and their own projects, then they really have no idea what is happening in a different corner of the box, nor do they have any idea on how their project could be made better. We only look for help on those occasions where we made mistakes and may not know how to fix them; or when we think our project is super-exciting and will turn into the next big thing with us accepting all the credit. Therein lies the rub….

Any relationship, be it business or personal requires work and understanding and an OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION. With this line comes all kinds of wonderful things, the smallest of which is someone to bounce ideas off of, tell the problems to, watch the sun shine, and share both the credit and the blame. I am currently involved in a handful of projects which require me to be both open and forth-coming with suggestions, and humble enough to try and follow the original vision- after all the projects do primarily belong to others.

By working within those parameters, and keeping an open line of communication; each project seems to make a little more headway each and every day. I am enjoying the new relationships formed and am learning about areas of the business that I don’t have the most knowledge in. Sometimes it is a good idea to follow the blue print provided, it will enable a larger string of communication and cooperation; and at the end of the day, people I can count on in future endeavors when the shoes are on the other feet.

Basically, we have to realize that with all relationships, in business and in life, there is give and take, not give and give, or take and take, but an equal part of each. This will help with a happy working relationship and a harmonious home life.

Something to Think About…....