Collaboration-washing – how do you spot it?

As events and posts developed over Mental Health Awareness Week this May more stories were told. Many spoke about the mental health implications of being an entrepreneur or business owner, and it’s true, it is a a whole new test to your wellbeing. Of course it is known that the ‘business is business’ or ‘snooze you lose’ mottos and attitudes do exist and at times you just have to let that be the case but there are times when is it such a personal disappointment that people pull a fast one on you or cut you out and sometimes with no concern; these are the times that you need support.

For example, have you ever had? 

• People promise budget/contract but it doesn’t come

• People ‘collaboration-wash’ – say they will in public but don’t 

• You help them but they don’t help you 

• They don’t stick to ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ 

• They speak with you but then go off and do similar work

• They use your ideas or take what they can and cut you out 

• You felt taken advantage of

• They are not honest or transparent 

• All of the above 

This comes up time and time again in business and startup circles. I’ve spoken to many founders about this topic and it is often those new to business or who are less competitive who suffer the most.

It can be really hard as when it happens more than once you can stop trusting people, loose faith and can become anger or bitter.

How do you personally improve your reaction? 

• Trust your work and you are good 

• Trust that more/better work & partnerships will come 

• Understand their agenda – it will explain their motives and if you don’t agree with them then you won’t want to align anyway

• Its on them not you 

• Stop telling people your info for free or over share – learn the boundaries and keep things under your hat until fully formed

• Trust there is a reason 

• They are not the right fit, so find others – something has happened and you may never know why, not necessarily on you. It really is them often 

• Don’t ruminate on it 

• If honesty and transparency is your approach but not others, remember that and find people with your values 

• Some people will do whatever they can to get what/where they want…are not your friends – accept it and don’t waste more thought on it

• They don’t understand you and may never will 

• The chemistry wasn’t there

• They are going into competition with you – so you must have something

There are so many ways to feel unhappy about your businesses progress and sometimes you have to have the hard lessons to make you realise things are up and down.

Take the rough with the smooth, walk away from business or people that stress you out and if you do Keaton they are acting like a $%*# on purpose then definitely walk away.