What if you spent 25 years building a successful business, only to realize you never built the life you actually wanted?
It's a question most entrepreneurs don't ask until something goes wrong.
We measure success in revenue, profits, growth, and the value of our companies. And there's nothing wrong with that. But those numbers only tell part of the story.
The real question is whether your business is helping you live the life you want.
At The Partnership Guys, we've learned that two people can build an incredibly successful company while pursuing completely different definitions of success.
And if they never talk about those differences, trouble is usually waiting around the corner.
Our partner Rob Stolker learned this the hard way.
Years ago, Rob built a profitable business with a partner. On paper, things looked great. But Rob had four young daughters, and one of his biggest priorities was being present in their lives.
He worked hard throughout the day so he could spend his evenings coaching, attending activities, and being a dad.
His partner saw things differently.
When his partner finished his regular job around 5:30, he was ready to start working on their business. Rob was ready to spend time with his girls.
What Rob considered one of his greatest personal wins, his partner viewed as time wasted.
Neither had taken the time to understand what mattered most to the other.
The result was a failed partnership and a ten-year lawsuit.
The business was successful. The partnership wasn't.
Now compare that with Steven Schneider and Todd Leonardis, who've been business partners for more than 26 years.
Their relationship hasn't lasted because they always agree or want exactly the same things.
It's lasted because they made a commitment to understand and support each other's personal goals.
They call this understanding your Fundamental Focus.
It's about identifying what truly matters in your life. Maybe that's financial security, family, freedom, learning, meaningful work, or simply having peace of mind.
And here's where the magic happens.
When you understand your partner's Fundamental Focus, you can make business decisions that help both of you succeed.
Sometimes that means encouraging your partner to pursue an opportunity. Sometimes it means adjusting responsibilities. And sometimes it means telling your partner to stop working and go home to their family.
Steven has done exactly that.
He knows how important family time is to Todd, so when Todd is working late on a day he planned to be home, Steven encourages him to leave.
Think about that.
Instead of asking, "What more can my partner do for the business?" he's asking, "How can this business help my partner achieve what matters most?"
That's a completely different way to approach a partnership.
And it starts with a conversation.
Ask yourself what winning really looks like. Then ask your partner the same question.
Don't assume the answers will match. They don't have to.
What matters is understanding those differences and building a business that supports both of you.
Because building the business is what you do. Living the life you want is why you do it.
And sometimes achieving the win means growing together. Sometimes it means changing how you work together. Sometimes it even means recognizing that it's time to move on.
The goal isn't simply to stay partners forever.
It's to make sure the partnership helps everyone involved build a better life.
So here's a question worth discussing with your business partner this week:
If your business doubled in value tomorrow, but nothing improved in your personal life, would you consider that a win?
We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
For more on defining your win and building a partnership by design, listen to Episode 46 of The Partnership Guys Podcast, featuring Steven Schneider, Todd Leonardis, and Rob Stolker.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Because better partnerships don't happen by accident. They happen by design.