I work with my husband.
WITH him.
Not FOR him.
For 30 years we’ve worked side-by-side –
usually in the same physical office,
our desks within throwing distances.
He can shoot elastics to get my attention.
I throw pencils and miss entirely.
Most people walk into our office and say:
I could never work with my partner like this.
How do we do it?
One word.
Respect.
We respect each other.
We honour and trust each other.
We allow each other to grow,
even if it means we’re out of sync for a while.
We challenge and support each other.
We talk it out.
We negotiate.
We set boundaries about what’s acceptable –
at home and at work.
We plan together.
We take time apart.
We have decision criteria.
Most importantly …
we put love and family first.
If a decision is not good for that pillar of our lives,
it’s not a good decision.
It all comes down to choice.
The choice to respect one another.
The choice to love.
The choice to accept that there is no such thing as perfection,
but there is compassion, integrity, and love.
And knowing that Love isn’t enough.
Respect is the secret ingredient
to succeeding as a couple in business together.
Would you work with your spouse/partner/significant other?
