My partner and I are in the very early stages of submitting a business proposal to an entrepreneurship contest (and hopefully more than one). We have both committed to carrying our idea out - to building our product. As such, we agreed to meet every morning at 8am (we live in the same complex and no travel time was required). Since we are still both in school, we wanted to meet at a time we both could commit to every day, the purpose of the meetings being to discuss readings we have done, to bounce ideas around, to add specifics to our business idea, and to generally stay focused and motivated.
Here's the thing: in the past 7 days, my partner has failed to make ONE meeting. I'm up every day, down at the breakfast table by 8am ready to meet, and he fails to do so. Furthermore, he doesn't even acknowledge his absence. I'm upset obviously because this is something that I am really passionate and excited about, and he can't even wake up for 8am! I'm curious as to whether anyone else has had a similar experience.
Objectively the answer here seems to be to drop him as a partner. I'm torn only because I respect his intelligence and know that if he was on top of his work ethic we could build something great together. It's truly frustrating to find someone you could see yourself working with long term - who has committed to a project - only to abandon you essentially.
I am worried about losing focus without a partner to push me (and vice versa) and bounce ideas around with.
Help and advice would be much appreciated. I've got to turn this into a positive learning experience.
What should I do about my lazy partner?
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Re: What should I do about my lazy partner?
#2Does he even give an excuse for missing the meeting?
It's possible that his absence is his way of telling you that he doesn't think meeting everyday is important. I would hope it's not just that he forgets or can't wake up that early at least.
In general, intelligence is a critical feature of a good partner but reliability and chemistry are more important. If you do start a company with this person, you are getting married for 5 years (or at least you have to treat it that way). If there is already friction now, that should be telling you that you don't have the right fit. At the stage you are at now you should be running at full steam instead of wondering why you are sitting alone in the morning.
I suggest breaking it off. You'll be thankful later when you find a partner on the same wavelength and things really click.
Re: What should I do about my lazy partner?
#3If there was more invested, I'd recommend a slew of advice for 'talking it over.'
But it seems like this is pretty thin at this point, so walk away.
Re: What should I do about my lazy partner?
#4You're not going to have a future in business with him, and you know it. Man up (I assume you're male; if not, woman up) and tell him it's over!
If you don't have the courage to do this, how are you going to face the much tougher battles yet to come?
Re: What should I do about my lazy partner?
#5Is it only one meeting and a non-critical one at that? It's probably nothing. I don't think he's trying to ride on your progress. Heck, he may have stayed up one night playing WoW in a maid outfit and feels embarrassed after getting up late the next day.
Have you had a meeting to explain potential risks of foundership that includes a founder splitting off?
Re: What should I do about my lazy partner?
#6Some people are morning people, others aren't, despite best intentions. You could reschedule the meetings and see if he can make it at a different time. If he still doesn't, it will mean he's either not committed to the business, or not disciplined enough, so you will have to split.
Re: What should I do about my lazy partner?
#7be flexible... tell him "looks like 8am isn't working for you, let's meet for lunch (or whatever) instead". Maybe he's just not a morning person.
If his work ethic continues to be a problem, talk to him about it. Ask him to commit to a number of hours per week, and track/verify this. If he still fails, then call off the project.
You're both students. Don't get hung up on little stuff like this. You'll never have this much flexibility in your life again (well, until your start-up succeeds and you're gazillionaires, I guess). Don't try to be too corporate too fast. Be rock stars.
Re: What should I do about my lazy partner?
#8I am more concerned by the lack of communication than by the missed meetings. Have you actually talked to him about this? Maybe he is sadly waiting for you at a different coffee shop, or under the impression that the meetings are only when needed.
Does he have any idea how much this is destroying your trust in him? Tell him your expectations, give him a chance to shape up, and if he doesn't, you know what to do.
Re: What should I do about my lazy partner?
#9Take this from someone who knows. Get rid of him. ASAP. People like him singlehandedly kill businesses.
Re: What should I do about my lazy partner?
#10Is it only one meeting and a non-critical one at that? It's probably nothing. I don't think he's trying to ride on your progress. Heck, he may have stayed up one night playing WoW in a maid outfit and feels embarrassed after getting up late the next day. Have you had a meeting to explain potential risks of foundership that includes a founder splitting off?
Looks like you're getting downvoted, but really the OP should be downvoted for bad writing.
"in the past 7 days, my partner has failed to make ONE meeting"
Dear OP, this states that your partner has made it to 6 out of 7 meetings. I know you didn't actually mean that, but that's what you said (well, typed).