If you’re in business, chances are you’ve had to deal with a difficult partner at some point. Maybe they’re always disagreeing with you, or maybe they’re just difficult to work with. Whatever the case may be, it can be tough to find common ground with someone who seems to be your opposite.
But there are ways to do it. Here are a few tips:
Try to see things from their perspective.
It can be tough to empathize with someone who is always disagreeing with you, but it’s important to try to see things from their perspective. What might be motivating their behavior? What are they trying to accomplish? Once you understand their perspective, it will be easier to find common ground.
Focus on your goals, not their behavior.
It’s easy to get caught up in the way someone is behaving, but it’s important to focus on your goals. What do you want to accomplish? What is your endgame? If you can keep your eye on the prize, it will be easier to ignore the difficult behavior and find ways to work together.
Find a compromise.
If you’re having trouble seeing eye-to-eye, it might be time to find a compromise. What can you both agree on? What are you willing to give up in order to find middle ground? Once you’ve found a compromise, it will be easier to work together.
Communicate effectively.
If you’re having trouble communicating with your difficult partner, it might be time to step up your communication game. What are you doing to ensure that your communication is clear and effective? Are you listening as much as you’re talking? Are you trying to understand their perspective? If not, it might be time to start.
Be patient.
Dealing with a difficult partner can be frustrating, but it’s important to be patient. Things might not change overnight, but if you’re patient and you keep working at it, you’ll eventually find a way to get along.
Dealing with a difficult business partner can be tough, but it’s not impossible. If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be on your way to finding common ground.
