Christopher V. Flett

I have a friend and colleague that I’ve worked with for a number of years now (coming up 8 I think). We write a food blog together, he’s worked in my companies, and he is a great counterpoint to me. I couldn’t really do what he does; he can’t do what I do. That’s what a business relationship should look like. Two people coming together who have complimentary skills and you both do what you do best. You don’t try to learn the other person’s job, you just do your part. It is so easy when egos don’t get involved, when there isn’t a power struggle, and when both sides carry their piece of the puzzle. Working with this guy is easy for me because we impress each other with our individual skill sets.

Excerpt from a conversation today:

ME: “That looks amazing. I’m an idiot in those types of things”

HIM: “I aim to please.”

HIM: “How long did that take you to do that piece?”

ME: “About five minutes while I was eating breakfast.”

We are part of the mutual admiration club because we each can do what the other can’t and we are clear on who has to do what. He tutors me on the stuff I need to do; I tutor him on different things. Together we are stronger in the model then we would be on our own. Consider the people you work with and think of if this represents the relationships you are in, or if yours are filled with disappointment, resentment, and overall bad feelings. Life is too short to do business with fuck-ups. Hold yourself to high standards and expect the same from those you work with.