My business partner is a neurotic worrywart who gets on my nerves. Help!

Dear Aunty B, 

My business partner is a neurotic worrywart and her constant catastrophising is really getting on my nerves.

I am quite positive about next year but she says I am an optimist who puts my head in the sand and won’t confront the fact that things are far more gloomy than I think. I find it a struggle all the time to be the enthusiastic leader for my staff while also trying to gee her up and calm her down at the same time.

Any ideas?
Lee

Dear Lee,

You are in a marriage made in heaven. She is the Ying to your Yang, the bucket to your spade, the night to your day, if you get my drift. The combination of the pair of you is perfect.

The optimistic entrepreneur who fronts up an organisation is often tempted to surround herself by “yes” people who agree with her outlook. We all want these people around us.

I don’t need to spell out the dangers of that because it means you don’t see the train as it hurtles down the track towards you, you just see the nice shiny light.

Of course she gets on your nerves. But so will a competitor who creeps up and takes you unaware. So will your banker when you run out of cash. So will the economy when it throws you a curve ball.

So learn to listen even when it makes you feel uncomfortable because having a sunny optimist around like you can be as annoying as being told, “I did warn you!”

Be smart,
Your Aunty B

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