What Qualities Does the Perfect Business Partner Need to Have?
Do you think about what kind of person you want as a Business partner?
Where are these perfect Business Partners and what do they look like?
Is it fair to want a perfect Business Partner if you are not perfect yourself?
Do you find that in the beginning you didn’t care if they were perfect or not. Then after working with a few not so perfect folks, you decided to get a bit more choosy? lol
These are critically important questions to ask.
After one of my partners brought me to tears, (who is incidentally no longer my partner), I became more conscientious about who I’d like to join me. I look for warning bells, red flags. 
I know, I know, nobody is perfect. Some might like to think they are, but we know better, don’t we? We all have our honeymoon stage when “they” look perfect, but then we get to know them better and realize that they have a few cracks just like every pot does. (and just like we do)
And yes, we should be understanding, appreciating their good and wonderful qualities, because everyone has them. Sometimes they need our belief in them because they don’t have it yet. And of course, overlooking any of those annoying little things, we try to work well together, believing the best.
However you and I both know that sometimes there are those ones that we know we are not destined to work with. I’m sure you know what I mean? 
So, do you have a list? Some people make a list when searching for a life long marriage partner. It’s kind of the same when searching for a business partner, because you may be spending a great deal of time with them.
Do you have things that you look for in potential business partners?
I’m sure you do.
Maybe these things are on your list?
-Self Motivated
-Hard worker, ambitious
-Works well with others
-Visionary or Entrepreneur
-Determined and not easily discouraged
-Stays positive and optimistic
-Sets and keeps goals
-Doesn’t take a No personally but says “Next”
-Not a quitter…in it for the Long Haul
Or some other things that are important:
-Coachable
-Friendly, pleasing personality (likeability factor)
-Kind, creative positive thinkers
-Enjoy serving/helping others become successful
-Team players
- Computer knowledge (or at least some)
-Strong Why
-Personal Development is important to them
Are we asking too much?
Are our expectations too high?
I guess when it comes right down to it………
We want to work with people who want to work with us.
We want to work with people we enjoy being with
We want to work with people who stick with it like a postage stamp until they get there.
We want to work with people who focus on what is going right instead of what isn’t.
We want to work with those we know are Divine appointments.
And that pretty much says it all.
And sometimes, “Many people go far in life because someone else thought they could.” ~John Maxwell
Please share what you look for in a business partner.
Your Networking friend,
Hello there.
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This is great Lynn, I always say don’t expect from others what you are not willing to do. I look for someone who is committed and self motivated and willing to invest in personal development. They also have to be coachable. Great post. Thanks Lynn
Hi Lakeisha,
Personal development is a must and so is being coachable. You are right, we must do what we desire others to do.
I appreciate you!
Lynn
Enjoyed your article Lynn, and that’s a great photo! You’ve done an excellent job of listing the finer points of what makes up a successful partnership. It can certainly be a challenging finding just the right partners, but when you do it certainly makes the work more fun and rewarding. Thanks for the inspiration.
Marquita Herald recently posted..Put an End to Emotional Tug-of-War
Hi Marquita, Yes it is so much more enjoyable working with folks who you are meant to work with. We can help each other grow personally and in business.
Thank you Marquita for stopping by,
Lynn
Hey Lynn,
Great idea, this is very interesting, and you are so right most people when the are first getting into the business they just want someone, anyone with a pulse, and then they give there all to help that person and yes it does hurt when they don’t live up to your expectation, so it’s good to have standards, and look for the person you have the most in common with.
I like to look for people who are like me and this way I know what to expect, and they have to love to have fun like I do, laughter is a must, funny works wonders, most people today don’t laugh, I don’t remember a day ever going by without me laughing and it’s not hard to do, I could go on but I will stop, it’s important to find people who have common interest and that you would spend a week on a cruise ship with and not hide from them, lol, looking forward to your next post.
Jennifer R. Buchanan
Hi Jennifer, Yes, common interests are very important. However, I also think it is important to have people on your team who are strong in areas where you are lacking. That way we can balance each other and make a stronger Mastermind team.
Bless you real big!
Lynn
Hey Lynn,
Thanks for posting. But I wanted to just throw a few things out there.
By now, I can judge where someone is by their actions rather than their words. But, not as in where they are after I meet them, but where they are at the time I have meet them.
The thing is, when you are a leader, you will recognize those who are postured on your level or higher by simple actions, words and tones.
To me, there’s no list of things people have to meet or standards they have to be at on some check list, you’ll know it when you see or hear it.
This is not a skill you can take a class for, unless it’s from the school of hard knocks.
-D
Dereck recently posted..Jim Teach Interviews Dereck Arreguin
Hi Dereck, What it boils down to is Divine Appoinments! I believe with all my heart that I will find, or they will find me, those people I am meant to work with. We will develop a lasting rewarding relationship helping each other on the ladder to success!
Blessings,
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Wow that is a comprehensive list…thanks for that.
However I remember being told a long long time ago “Never judge a book by it cover” and while sometimes it makes it difficult thanks to the experiences we have gained on life’s journey … I do try and not prejudge and will give everyone the opportunity to excel.
Great post… thanks
Cheers
Bryan
Bryan McHeyzer recently posted..Tribes-Groups-do-they-improve-your -bottom-line
Hi Bryan, it is a big list and I know I don’t measure up myself, so how can I expect others to excel. We can try to find top quality. But when I began…..I needed a lot of help. And I am willing to put the time and effort into someone who really wants to succeed!
thanks for commenting friend,
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Wow! I’ve actually been thinking about this for a couple of weeks now. How apropos that I’m reading this now! Gotta love that.
I haven’t made a list but it’s such a great idea that I will do that. I’ve also been let down (a few times quite hard) by partners in life and in business, so you’re absolutely right that we need to put a lot of thought into this before making any kind of choice.
Your examples are terrific. I appreciate seeing them and putting my mind into gear to think more deeply about my list. I also love your quote by John Maxwell (except there’s a typo, lie instead of life..??)
Deb Augur recently posted..Tutorial- Feedburner Publicize Tools
Deb, Thank you so much for telling me about my typo! I must proof read better. You are the only one who mentioned it. I appreciate that.
Cheers! Have a great week.
Lynn
This is a great list, Lynn! I don’t think I could improve on it.
The only thing might be that sometimes we need to look a little closer than the surface to see what the person is like inside. Some people are so beat up and burnt by their previous business experiences that they may not show those qualities. But probe a little deeper and you’ll see that they do have them, and just need some help overcoming the past hurts.
Willena Flewelling
Willena, You are absolutely right. And I am willing to help those who really want it. I believe in Divine appts.
I appreciate you!
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Although I’m not about to go and find me a business partner in the traditional sense. I do think of anyone that I bring in to my business as a partner.
As a network marketer I think that it’s very important to have a team that share your values.
Ethical business practices is the biggest must for me!
All the best,
Emma
Emma recently posted..TSA iWowWe Tribe
Emma, Thanks for your comment. Sharing the same values is critically important. I am a firm believer Like attracts like, so, therefore ideally we will find those kinds of people……that are like us…hopefully better!
Have a nice week,
Lynn
Great post Lynn. All the points you make are highly relevant and traits I would look for in a potential business partner. Yes the standards are high, but as long as my business partner complements my strengths and weaknesses, it will be a good fit.
Louise
Louise Steiner recently posted..Secure Hosting For Facebook Pages – Why Does It Matter?
Hi Louise, I agree it’s good to find someone to work on your team that is strong where you might be weak and visa verse. That way you can be a huge blessings to each other.
Bless you!
Lynn
Hi Lynn: This is such a great list. I have been thinking seriously about creating a partnership. Now, I definitely want to partner with someone or people who share the same core values as I, committed, hardworking etc. But in this particular partnership I am looking into, I am actually trying to partner with 3 other people all gifted in different areas than I am.
My thought process is, I bring in my own expertise and they bring theirs in different fields. I also think looking at people’s success record is key and a big plus just like in corporate America, experience is always a big plus. However, this would not necessarily disqualify a potential business partners. There are other things to look into. Thanks for sharing this, your list is great!
Liz K : Success From Home Trainining recently posted..Why I Believe Network Marketing Industry Will Always Work
Liz, I get what you are saying. If we partner with people who are strong where we may be weak, then we find a great balance and can help each other more effectively and make a dynamic team! Thanks for leaving such a great comment!