"Get the expectations clear up front to prevent your business partnership's failure." Jean Charles

This advice applies to business partnerships and, if you think about it, to all other relationships as well. When dealing with partners, employees, vendors, clients, etc. it is imperative that you each know what others are expecting of you and of the situation. Unless these expectations are clearly articulated by all parties at the beginning of any partnership you will be in for a bumpy ride.

Unless you are mind readers, each person has the responsibility to make sure that everyone else understands his /her expectations... I said understood, I did not say accept. This is where negotiation, consensus and agreement come into the equation.

"Know what you want and what you are willing to give".

Find out as clearly as possible what the others believe, want and are willing to give. Figure out what the commitments of each person will be and how they and you are expected to behave.

Don't be surprised when someone behaves in a way you didn't expect. We find that people are unpredictable because we base our expectations on our perspective. I call this the

"I would never do that syndrome".

Maybe you wouldn't but your values are not the same as other people's values, and values control behaviors.

There are many expectations that are not included in standard business agreements. Address these hidden expectations early in the partnership, because when unmet they ruin relationships faster than major issues. Misunderstandings cause arguments, and blame abounds. Settling disputes arising from unclear expectations help attorneys thrive.