Wednesday 24 March, 2010
Working with your partner brings a whole new meaning to the term ‘relationship skills’.
Try these tips to help you navigate the minefield with your spouse:
This quickly handles any misunderstandings about anything that’s been said or done that we disagree with or feel upset about. It brings any undercurrents out into the open and stifles any festering assumptions. We clear the air and then we move forward.
On occasions that you disagree, keep it civil and avoid putting each other down, regardless of how right or passionate you’re feeling.
A useful safety valve can be to say: “We’d like to discuss that further and get back to you”.
On the other hand, talking about positive things like goals and the future can sometimes inspire intimacy.
To respect each other’s workspace and train of thought, send each other emails for any non-urgent matters, and rather than reminding each other of things to do, send an email or enter it into a diary or calendar.
Obviously these are up for discussion and can be flexible when they need to be, but it often works better to decide in advance which person is ultimately responsible for getting which things done.
Source:ceoonline.com
Keep the space between you clean
If there’s any tension between you, clear the air. Do it by asking ‘Is there something you feel like saying?’ or starting a conversation with ‘What I feel like saying is…’.This quickly handles any misunderstandings about anything that’s been said or done that we disagree with or feel upset about. It brings any undercurrents out into the open and stifles any festering assumptions. We clear the air and then we move forward.
Agree how you’ll relate to each other in front of others
Are you going to back each other up in front of staff, colleagues or clients when there’s controversy, or do you give each other permission to disagree?On occasions that you disagree, keep it civil and avoid putting each other down, regardless of how right or passionate you’re feeling.
A useful safety valve can be to say: “We’d like to discuss that further and get back to you”.
Don’t have financial meetings in bed
Nothing kills romance quite like discussing the bank balance or stressful financials in bed. Keep these and any other sensitive issues out of the bedroom, and if something is bugging you, don’t save it up till bedtime - try and handle it early in the day.On the other hand, talking about positive things like goals and the future can sometimes inspire intimacy.
Have separate interests outside work
Make a point of not doing absolutely everything together. Develop some outside interests and nurture your independent friendships so you’ll have something else to talk about apart from the business and the kids.Use email even if you are in the same place
It’s tempting to just yell across to your partner’s desk or office every time you have a thought or a question, but it can also be disruptive and annoying.To respect each other’s workspace and train of thought, send each other emails for any non-urgent matters, and rather than reminding each other of things to do, send an email or enter it into a diary or calendar.
Define your business roles
Is one of you the spokesperson? Who will take care of the admin and banking? Who wears the marketing hat? And equally importantly, who’ll down tools to pick the kids up from school?Obviously these are up for discussion and can be flexible when they need to be, but it often works better to decide in advance which person is ultimately responsible for getting which things done.
Take regular non-working breaks
As well as taking proper holidays, try and get away every few weeks for a mini-break outside of the work environment to reconnect and have fun together.Source:ceoonline.com
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