Often starting a business means ‘all hands on deck’, and sometimes that means choosing to work with your spouse. For some people that idea will sound like a dream come true, while for others it might sound like a bit of a nightmare in the making. Either way, there are some things you can do to ensure your success – both of the business and the marriage!
5 Tips to Help You Have a Successful Working Relationship With Your Spouse
- Never Take Work Home: This will be tough at the start, but if you can set the habit of not bringing work home you’ll both be better off in the long run. And we don’t just mean paperwork. This tip includes not talking about your employees at the dinner table, and not running the numbers while watching TV.
- Set Clear Expectations: Who will be responsible for what? How will disagreements be handled? Assume nothing. Setting clear expectations from the beginning will help you navigate your new reality with your sanity intact. Be clear about what is expected from each party, and make sure everything is delegated clearly.
- Be Respectful: Give your partner the benefit of the doubt when things get missed or forgotten (and they will!). Treat each other with respect and kindness, and always remember that you are both working toward the same goal.
- Be Your Own Person: You already live and work with your spouse and it can be easy to lose your individual identity all together. Try taking up a hobby that’s just your own, or failing that, just travelling to work separately, or eating lunch alone can help to give you a little personal space.
Work Separately: Working separately will ensure that the business (and the marriage) runs more smoothly. Maybe that will mean having two completely different work schedules, or working out of different buildings – anything to ensure that you aren’t always on top of each other in the workplace.
