Couples in Business Together: Why Couples Have Trouble Communicating
Communication has been identified by experts in the field and by successful couples as the cornerstone upon which couples simultaneously build a successful business and a successful marriage.
Couples who work together cannot afford to communicate ineffectively.
When you don’t communicate, you can’t improve your relationships, you can’t resolve conflict successfully, and you can’t increase your leadership power.
Because of the unique interrelatedness of you, your spouse, your joint business venture, and your family life, you need good communication skills, and you need to spend adequate time using those skills with your spouse.
Couples who work together often have trouble communicating because they inadvertently make assumptions about their communication. Here are some of the most common and troubling assumptions and corresponding recommendations for positive action.
Couples who work together often have trouble communicating because they inadvertently make assumptions about their communication.
- Couples assume they know their spouse’s thoughts and wishes. Pairs should ask for each other’s opinions and then listen carefully.
- Couples assume that their expectations have been communicated. Couples need to clearly articulate their expectations and make sure the other person understands the message.
- Couples assume they are communicating effectively. Couples must prepare for effective communication and realize that it is a continuous learning process.
- Couples assume they are communicating with the most appropriate METHOD OF COMMUNICATION. Couples must determine which method of communication is best suited to the purpose and content of the message.
- Couples assume they communicate often enough. Couples should plan for frequent and ongoing communication and check if it is enough.
- Couples assume they are communicating at the right time and PLACE. The couples should determine the right time and place for the conversation.
- Couples assume they don’t need to be as respectful to each other as they would be to their outside co-workers. Couples should use language that is respectful and professional with each other and with other family members.
- Couples assume that they communicate in optimal conditions. Couples need to understand, appreciate, and compensate for the pressure and stress that interfere with their communication in times of stress.
- Couples assume that the conflict will work itself out. Couples should develop a plan to manage conflict and review the plan regularly.
“Communication Communication Communication” is the mantra of couples in business. You need to communicate to ensure the growth and prosperity of your business. You need to communicate to grow professionally. You need to communicate to promote your personal growth. You need to communicate to ensure the development of your relationship with your spouse. You need to communicate to foster the growth and development of your family. And it must communicate “till death do them part.”
