Creating a Healthy Work Environment With Your Spouse

October 17, 2014 by Christine

There are a lot of people who will tell you that it’s impossible to go into business with your spouse. It’ll ruin your relationship, they say. Well, I've tried this – no it didn't work. Not because of the relationship, it didn't work because of other factors. Factors that are present with any business partner or close employee that is a family member.

While it’s true that spending so much time together, especially in such a volatile atmosphere, does have the potential to place some level of strain on your relationship, there are ways that you can be smart about it so that you can both achieve success with your new endeavor.

It doesn't have to be a negative experience. When it is so intense and your work is your passion, this can be healthy, if you understand the underlying pressures.

Here are some of the keys to creating a healthy work environment with your spouse:

• Have clear responsibilities. Both of your roles should be clearly defined so that neither one of you is ever stepping on the other’s toes by doing their job. Perhaps one of you handles finances, while the other handles technology. Splitting the roles and sticking to those roles will go a long way toward avoiding potential conflict.

• Make sure everyone else in your company understands those roles. If you have other employees in your company, they should also be extremely clear on what each of your roles are so that they don’t approach one of you for help on something the other person is responsible for. This will also avoid situations in which people get conflicting answers on questions related to particular areas of business — they have one person to go to for every category of business. In turn you also need to respect those roles which you've defined and broadcast to your team. Recognize you have put your staff in a very difficult position, no matter how well you work together, by being leaders in your business with your spouse.

• Never undermine your spouse publicly. This is the quickest way to create trouble, both in the workplace and in your relationship. When you have employees the importance of this policy and mindset is multiplied. Respect your spouse’s position within your business, and never point out weaknesses or past actions or anything else that could cause your spouse to lose respect in the ideas of your employees.

• Seek support from outside sources. If you can find good mentors or other couples who have gone into business together that you can emulate, definitely seek out their assistance. Especially if you are first-time entrepreneurs, the dynamic of working together as a married couple can be harrowing. Support from experts or those who have done it successfully before can really help you to settle into your roles and the new dynamic in your relationship.

Work with Viral Solutions for assistance in setting up your business roles and strategies so that you and your spouse can find success together.

Copyright 2014 Viral Solutions LLC

Watch out elephants! This slayer of business challenges comes with 30 years of record breaking sales, marketing, operations, training and leadership experience . He has worked face-to-face with 100’s of small business owners as well as large firms. His love of creating, communicating, developing and executing results for clients shines with each project, publication and training event. His entrepreneurial spirit, passion, industry experience, education, problem-solving prowess, charismatic personality and been-there-done that attitude leads his client focused approach.

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