Partner Communications Session 2
The husband and wife partnership I started working with a few weeks ago has progressed nicely. Last week there was a complaint from the wife (aka Jane) that she needed access to ‘resources under the husband’s (aka Joe’s) control and Joe had not been willing to agree. Their homework assignment was to discuss it again to see if they could come to agreement. Upon hearing more from Jane, Joe became convinced that it was better to designate time from his staff than for Jane to go outside to get the needed resources. In the future the decision might be different. It was agreed that if either had need of the other’s services and they could not agree to provide them with staff, the other would have the option to hire outside resources, keeping in mind the return on investment of the decision.
Also historically they said they often disagreed with each other in meetings with their executive staff. Because this took extra time and was not a good face to be presenting to those who had major responsibilities, they decided that when they found themselves disagreeing they would stop the discussion and say they would work out the disagreement at a later time and come back with a unified position next time. At this past week’s meeting they didn’t disagree in the meeting, but realized they didn’t agree and decided to discuss it afterward. By taking it up specifically after the meeting they were able to reach agreement and are prepared to come back next time with a unified statement. Both felt it wasn’t perfect, but that progress had been made.
The bottom line: in order to move forward on anything, agreement must be reached. When there is disagreement it saps energy and time and keeps things from moving forward.
