To the left is a picture of my startup partner, Rob May and Me (I’m on the right) before we interviewed a salesperson this week. We somehow showed up wearing the exact same shirt, actually we even wore the same brand! The irony is Rob and I are two very, very different people which has made our partnership work so well.
Our personalities and skill sets are at times so divergent people are surprised by how we’re such good friends. We do share a love for problem solving, have successfully created and sold our own web content and we both separately encountered business partners that didn’t quite fit. From those successes and failures we are very aware of being fair to others. Finally, we are frequently accused of working too much (little do they know we don’t find it to be “work”). There may be a few more, but none will say we’re cut from the same cloth.
Rob is the more analytical, number-crunching, patient scholar who can out-think anyone. I, on the other hand, am the high-strung, marketing-minded, obsessed with content, press-the-flesh, offline/online networker. Even all the personality tests show wildly differing profiles. So where do we connect? There is a formula to our mismatched success.
1- We define areas of control. Sometimes Rob gets the final call in a financial decision, sometimes it’s me choosing functionality of an app. Either way, the lines are established from the outset.
2- We’re focused on the same goal… building profitable ventures. When things are at an impasse, we examine how the outcomes affect the goals. When in doubt, follow the path to the goal.
3- We discuss and debate without friction. This may truly be our secret sauce. I’ve never formed a partnership where so many differing opinions can be fleshed out without feelings getting hurt or impeding progress. I cannot overstate the value of #3, it’s worth more than all our ideas combined.
Yes, there are times where it’s nice to hear an echo of your same opinion, but differing views, interests and consideration for each other are what makes us such a strong team. We think (possibly over-think) possible pitfalls, opportunities and outcomes which has better prepared us for competition.
I’ve had almost 10 other partners with differing levels of success, but my advice is ultimately about teamwork. When considering a partner in any business don’t always look for just a complimentary skill set or background. Be sure you can make it as a team. Your startup will require many more hours than you plan or expect and it’s that teamwork that will get you through the long, hard slog.
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I work with both of you and can tell the differences. Sometimes it’s the differences that make you successful. Someone has to remind Rob that not everyone thinks like him and someone needs to center you from your habit of extremes.
But the emotionless debate is the key. The fact you guys can go back and forth without hurting each other’s feelings (Does Rob have feelings? Just checking.) or getting mad at one another? That’s the key.
Jason,
Yes but in turn I try to remind everyone why they SHOULD they like me
crap, i think i own that shirt too.
keep up the great work, guys. you may not realize it, but you’ve both kept me informed and entertained for years. while it may be exceedingly more difficult, you guys also prove that great people and great startups don’t require a residence in the valley.
looking forward to witnessing more of your success!