Steal These Tips to Build a Better Business Partnership

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: a good partnership should make you happier and make you more money. If yours isn’t doing both, it might be time for a tune-up.

However, many people don't know that being a good partner isn’t just about doing your job. It’s about how you treat, respond to, and even tolerate your business partner. It’s about how you work together when things are not going smoothly. You don’t have to agree on everything, but you do have to communicate respectfully. And let’s be honest: in a high-stress business (which is most of them), that can feel like trying to defuse a bomb with oven mitts.

The truth is that Todd and I didn’t build a strong partnership by always seeing eye to eye. We built it purposefully, with clear processes and a shared commitment to not drive each other completely insane. After years of trial, error, and the occasional long lunch, we’ve learned that the real secret to a productive partnership isn’t charisma, spreadsheets, or sheer force of will.

It’s communication.

It's a soft skill that somehow makes the hard stuff, like running a business with another human, actually work. Without it, things get chaotic fast. With it, you can build something sustainable, profitable, and maybe even enjoyable.

Be Real

When we say communication, we don’t just mean talking louder or sending more emails. It’s about really listening, responding thoughtfully, and knowing when to stop talking. It’s also about sharing not just wins, but the weird stuff, the flops, and the “I have no idea what I’m doing right now” moments.

Todd and I have built trust over time by being real with each other. That includes showing vulnerability—admitting when we’re stuck, when we need help, or when we just want someone else to deal with the spreadsheet that’s been open for three hours but still doesn’t make sense.

So, stop aiming for perfection and start practicing vulnerability. When you constantly hide your struggles, tension builds fast. But when you're honest about what you're dealing with, both personally and professionally, you create space for trust to grow. And trust is what turns a transactional relationship into a real partnership.

The Lunch Rule

In the early days, we had a rule: go to lunch every day. Not because we were foodies or particularly social, but because we needed to practice communicating like actual human beings. At first, we brought lists and agendas like good little professionals. But eventually, we ditched them.

Now, our lunches are half business, half therapy, and occasionally half "Did you hear what this client just asked us to do?" (Yes, we’re aware that’s three halves. Welcome to partnership math.)

Stepping out of the office—even if it’s just to sit in the car with takeout—gives us space to talk, breathe, and connect. Think of it as relationship maintenance. Like rotating your tires, but for your business.

Crazy Ideas and the Sanity of Entertaining Them

Here’s a fun fact: some of our best ideas started as truly questionable ones. You need to create space in your partnership where it’s safe to say something off-the-wall without immediately being met with a sigh and a spreadsheet.

We’ve learned that with trust and good communication, no idea is too weird to discuss. We dig into the “why,” explore the possibilities, and remind each other that our worst-case scenario is probably just another learning experience.

Let It Go (No, Seriously, Let It Go)

There was a time early in our partnership when we could both be “enthusiastic” about being right. But we’ve learned that most of the time, there’s no value in "winning" at your partner's expense. In fact, trying to win for winning's sake is a surefire way to foster bad feelings.

We save arguments for really high stakes decisions, and are pretty relaxed about who makes the call for lesser issues. Letting your partner “win” is a signal of respect, not defeat. It’s also a great way to prevent unnecessary meetings about what kind of snacks to order for the team. (Just get the trail mix, Todd. It’s fine.)

Monkey See, Monkey Communicate

Actions, as they say, speak louder than Slack messages. Modeling behavior is one of the most underrated communication strategies in any relationship, especially a business one.

If I want Todd to show up on time, I show up on time. If I want him to listen, I shut up and listen. If I want him to stop using weird fonts in drafts, well… I haven’t cracked that one yet, but I’m modeling patience.

Modeling the behavior you want to see isn’t revolutionary, but it’s effective. And it keeps us from having to have the same conversation seventeen times.

Compliments: Not Just for Performance Reviews

We give each other compliments. Not because we’re overly sentimental, but because we understand something a lot of people miss: positive feedback strengthens partnerships.

When Todd does something great (which he does—don’t let this blog fool you), I tell him. And I don’t just say “nice work.” I say what he did, why it mattered, and how it helped us.

Partners are people. People need recognition. And recognition builds trust, which builds better communication, which—spoiler alert—builds better business.

The Big Picture

At the end of the day, we treat partnership the way you’d treat a garden. It’s not self-watering. It takes effort, attention, and occasionally some digging.

None of these things—going to lunch, listening to “crazy” ideas, giving compliments, letting go of small stuff—are particularly groundbreaking. But put together, they’ve helped us build a partnership that’s not just functional, but fun. And profitable.

So, if you’re wondering how to improve your business partnership right now, don’t buy a new CRM or schedule another workshop.

Go to lunch. Say thank you. Listen more. Be honest. And maybe, just maybe, be okay with trail mix in meetings, for now.

Want Help Strengthening Your Partnership?

We can help. Let The Partnership Guys work with you and your business partner discover how to work together better, find more time, regain control of your personal life, AND make way more money in the process. Contact us today to learn more.