A good business relationship must have conflict
May 3, 2010
I am a peace-maker. Sometimes this gives me trouble. I am usually seeking to resolve conflict, or avoid it. But I’ve read and learned from experience, that the best stories in life (biographies, novels, movies) are built around a central conflict. Clearly, a personal relationship – such as a marraige or a life-long friendship, will undergo the same trial, and if it is to survive, the same resolution.
I believe a good business relationship can be the same. Maybe it is best not to have a smooth and peaceful coexistence. What do you really accomplish if everyone around the table agrees?
Diversity of thought brings conflict. The work of resolving this conflict brings learning. This learning brings understanding. Understanding leads to resolution – and to new SOLUTIONS. Resolution builds toward growth. The relationship grows, the business grows, the mutual profits grow.
