Conflicts are an inevitable part of any business relationship. No matter how well you know someone or how much you think you can trust them, there will come a time when you disagree on something, and the simmering anger and resentment will boil over. How you handle that conflict can make or break your business relationship.
Here are five tips to help you stay on good terms with your business partners, even when you’re in the midst of a disagreement:
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Stay Calm and Rational
When tempers start to flare, it’s easy to let emotions take over and say things you regret. But if you want to resolve the conflict, it’s essential to stay calm and rational.
Take a few deep breaths, and try to put yourself in your partner’s shoes. Why are they reacting the way they are? What is their point of view? Once you understand where they’re coming from, you can start to negotiate a solution.
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Address the Conflict Head-On
If you try to ignore the conflict, it will only fester and become worse. Address the problem head-on, and be willing to listen to your partner’s side of the story.
This doesn’t mean that you have to agree with them, but hearing them out will at least show that you’re trying to resolve the conflict.
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Don’t Take Things Personally
It’s easy to take things personally when you’re in the heat of a disagreement. But remember, this is a business conflict, not a personal one.
Your partner is not attacking you; they are simply voicing their opinion on the matter at hand. Try not to take things too personally and stay focused on resolving the conflict.
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Keep Communication Open
One of the best ways to resolve a conflict is to keep communication open. If you bottle things up, they will only become worse.
Make sure you stay in touch with your partner and update them on your progress. This will show that you’re taking the conflict seriously and want to resolve it as quickly as possible.
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Seek Outside Help if Necessary
If the conflict is proving to be too difficult to resolve on your own, don’t be afraid to seek outside help. There are plenty of professionals who can mediate a dispute and help you reach a resolution.
This is especially useful if you have a long-standing conflict that you’ve been unable to resolve.
Conflicts are an unfortunate but unavoidable part of any business relationship. By following the tips above, you can handle conflicts with your business partners in a way that minimizes damage and preserves the relationship.