In life, we encounter disagreements. In business, even more so. And, as business is, well – business – those disagreements are usually over money. As a Christian, I value relationships over money and try to abide by Jesus teaching whether in business or otherwise…
23 ‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 25 Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.’
Matthew 5:23-26
In general, it is my natural tendency to capitulate when faced with a disagreement in business and do unto others as I would have them do unto me. If someone feels I have wronged them or owe them money for some reason, I am naturally more inclined to give them what they feel they are owed, even when I believe I have right on my side. This in an attempt to preserve a healthy relationship; I can always make more money.
The trouble is, our counterparts won’t always play fair in the world of business. And, very often, it is those who are closest to us in business who can abuse our trust the most.
By way of example, if a new client tries to cheat you, by claiming false compensation for a “defective” product or service that you suspect, but can’t prove, was well up to standard, you could chalk it up to experience and let the matter go. You may lose a bit of money but at least you have a clear conscience that, even on the off-chance that the product/service was genuinely defective, you have at least made good and acted with integrity. You can, of course, learn from the mistake and refuse to do business with that person in future if you don’t believe they are trustworthy.
But what if the disagreement is not with a client who you are unlikely to ever see again? What if a disagreement brews with a business partner you have worked with for years? This is a relationship of far higher value. What if you choose to preserve the relationship over money and cave on a disagreement over money, only to find that your business partner then abuses your good faith further and begins to demand more money, a greater share of your profits or a share of future earnings?
In situations like this, you quickly find that, for every inch you give, your counterpart demands another mile. This goes way beyond a simple disagreement in business. Left unchecked, you will reach a point where your adversary is not merely playing hard-ball but is actually stealing the food off your children’s table.
Disagreement in Business
There comes a time in every business when you simply have to push back. This might mean letting a long-standing employee go or ending a business partnership that has become toxic. And in some cases, it will mean that your counterpart may feel aggrieved as they didn’t get all they wanted when you parted ways. In such cases, that is on them.
I try my level best to walk a mile in the other person’s shoes, so to speak and, if I am convinced that they genuinely believe I have wronged them or owe them a debt, I am more often than not prepared to pay them what they feel they are owed in order to preserve the relationship even if I disagree with their view of things.
But when I feel that someone is simply taking advantage of my generosity or sense of integrity, the gloves come off.
If we let people bully or take advantage of us in business, it won’t be long before we are out of business.
By that, I don’t mean the scripture is wrong; it’s not. With regards to disagreement in business, what I am saying is that Matthew 5:23-26 is not telling us that we should be doormats for the rest of the world to walk all over.