Beware of Business Lesson #9
What I am about to share with you will definitely date me for the moment. I learned my first Latin phrase from Greg Brady. See, I really am 44. I remember the episode clear as day ~ Caveat emptor. It means buyer beware. The Brady Bunch Show taught Greg and Cindy our first business lesson way back when.
I’m now wondering what the Latin phrase for “Collaborator Beware” is? I’m here to tell you about Business Lesson #9. She showed up at just the right time. I had been trying to start this certain venture unsuccessfully for a couple of years. I had worked hard to cultivate relationships and network within our community. I loved Business Lesson #9’s enthusiasm. The idea seemed harmless – a temporary collaboration that would bolster both of our businesses with an easy out included – just in case it wasn’t a good fit. What did I have to lose? Well, as it turns out quite a bit.
She broke all of HER nice, tidy rules of engagement that she intentionally shared at the beginning of our working collaboration. She tiptoed behind my back. She didn’t show up when she said she would. She’d say one thing and do another – all in the name of enthusiasm. Every thing she did, calculated or not, whispered loud and clear “I’m not a team player, I’m out for myself, I’m here to take all.”
I sought wise counsel. I shared that each and every “little” violation, in and of itself, was what I’d call a “no harm, no foul” event but all of these small infractions sprinkled with a big smile and sealed with a hug surmounted to a hostile takeover.
I called Business Lesson #9’s behavior out into the open. I chose benefit of the doubt as my confronter – maybe she really was unaware of how a team operated. It worked for a moment. She acknowledged her lack of integrity and THEN politely continued in her transgressions. She swindled my content and shared it as her own – one time she actually tried to sell it unbeknownst to me. She sidled up alongside the clients I had brought to the collaboration – a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She erased me from the agenda – “Oops, I don’t know what I was thinking.” I DO. That was the proverbial last straw. Done. Over.
All the resources I had brought to the table – heisted! I was screaming get out, get out now. The question at hand now was “How can I extricate myself from this predicament without damaging my brand and my business reputation?” The troops came to my rescue – business saavy friend, Susan; triumphant protector of Cindy and valued stakeholder in Less Drama, Brad; and Coach Lisa who always lends a welcomed perspective – they all shared their 2 cents. I wanted to lambaste Business Lesson #9 – I wanted to repay her for the lessons she had “kindly” taught me. Lisa asked, “Do you want a loose cannon like Business Lesson #9 out in the community on the defensive and mad at you?” The troops wisdom was invaluable. I had a way out that kept my brand and reputation intact. I carefully thanked her for the collaboration (remember the easy way out clause) and told her I needed to spend some time focusing primarily on Less Drama (I love the intended pun). Hasta la vista Business Lesson #9.
What I learned from Business Lesson #9:
I won’t collaborate with another until they have proven their character to me.
I won’t collaborate with another until I fully understand what I bring to the table.
Before collaborating, I will ask myself what do I have to gain? What do I have to lose?
I bring a wealth of resources to the table.
I’m a team player.
I share well with others.
I connect well with others.
I can sense toxicity.
I’m assertive.
I have the resources to protect myself and my business.
Always Learning,
Cindy
cindyblinn
