Is your spouse or life partner what I’d affectionately like to call, a “serial entrepreneur?”
Is he or she constantly coming up with new business ideas, projects to tackle, or investments you “really can’t afford to pass up.”
If you’re nodding along, then you, my friend, are – in fact – living with a serial entrepreneur.
Don’t get me wrong…this can be a really, really good thing!! There are a whole bunch of strengths and unique blessings that come along with these highly motivated individuals. In fact, I dedicated a whole blog post to unpacking a few of my favorites.
That being said, it’s not always a walk in the park.
If your loved one has “the business bug” and you do not share this particular trait, you may find their entrepreneurial spirit to be a source of conflict in your relationship.
Let’s break this down, shall we?
First, let’s start with them: your highly motivated and industrious loved one.
They are constantly brimming with new ideas. They see opportunities all over the place. When they share these ideas with you, what they are more than likely thinking is:
“Hey! I am really excited about this new idea. I want to share it with you because I love you, and I hope you’ll be excited too.”
However…
If you are being pitched new business ideas or investment opportunities on a daily basis, it can feel a bit dizzying if not downright overwhelming. When these new ideas are presented, you may find yourself tempted to:
- Get ultra-practical. You may feel the need to point out each small detail your loved one overlooked that would make this new idea difficult (if not impossible.)
- Give the automatic “no.” “It’s not good timing.” “It’s too expensive.” “It’s too overwhelming.” There are a variety of reasons you might find yourself putting a quick end to some of the wilder ideas.
Here’s the problem…
These two common reactions can leave your enthusiastic loved one feeling rejected or underappreciated. After all, they expected a cheering squad – someone to match their high level of enthusiasm, and that was far from what they got. These feelings may turn into tension, anger, or resentment, causing conflict in your relationship.
Now, please hear me…I’m not saying you should simply “jump on the bandwagon” of each new opportunity your loved one brings to the table in the name of “support” or “conflict avoidance.”
After all, not all ideas are good ones.
However, there are strategies for engaging these conversations in a way that feels supportive and safe for each of you. Here are a few practical tips:
- Practice active listening.
If your partner is sharing a new idea with you, it likely feels important to them. Show them you care by utilizing active listening practices. These are simple and straightforward:
- Make eye contact.
- Put your phone down.
- Ask thoughtful questions.
- Ask “what else?” to encourage further conversation.
- Offer encouragement and praise when appropriate.
- Don’t let “no” be your default answer.
It’s alright to say “no” from time to time…but if “no” is your response to every new idea your loved one brings to you, it may say more about you than them. Are you really saying no? Or, are you at the “not yet” stage?
- Instead, go into these conversations with an open mind.
- Seek to LEARN first.
- Rember that some ideas might not work out, but others might be worth pursuing.
As an added bonus, your “no” will hold more weight in the conversation when it isn’t the only response you ever give.
- Offer constructive criticism thoughtfully.
If your loved one is a “big picture thinker”, it’s very possible that he or she might be overlooking some critical details. Before you engage, ask if they want feedback or whether they’re just sharing their thinking at this point. If they want feedback, instead of rushing to point out their oversights or mistakes, focus on asking clarifying questions. Help them think through the details they may have ignored.
- Express interest in learning more.
Your loved one likely isn’t looking for an automatic “green light” for every idea they bring to the table. What he or she is probably more interested in is knowing that you care enough to listen and explore potential opportunities together.
Navigating a relationship with a serial entrepreneur can be overwhelming or exhausting at times, but it can also be the adventure of a lifetime! Next time you and your partner sit down to discuss a new opportunity or business venture, give these strategies a try!
Any other tips you’d like to add to the list? I’d love to hear your ideas! Drop a comment below this blog post and let me know.
PS – This is where knowing your and your partner’s Enneagram styles can be powerful. Learn the unique lenses your types use, the communication styles, and triggers.
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
