How to gain your business partner's trust (even if they had a bad past experience)

Going into business with a new partner is an opportunity to explore fresh perspectives and exciting ideas. However, if your new business partner is still toting baggage from a previous

partnership, it could derail your collaborative journey. To keep past experiences from standing in the way of future success, business partners must learn how to manage expectations. Below,

10 Rolling Stone Culture Council members offer fellow business leaders their best advice for building trust with their new partners, especially if those partners are wary of getting burned

again. SET UP SYSTEMS TO ADDRESS ANY PAIN POINTS When a new business partner brings skepticism or baggage from a previous business endeavor they may have had hardships on, I would recommend

having your new partner communicate specific pain points and concerns directly in the very beginning. Then, collectively set up systems and protocols on both ends to assure that your

partner’s needs are getting met and you are free from scrutiny of any sort. – Ryan Larry, VerseBooks, Inc. LEAVE THE PAST IN THE PAST You need to set clear expectations that the past is the

past and what you’re both building now is what matters. When you make it clear that you’re not focused on the past and that you have full trust in your partner, it builds a bond that can

take your business to the next level. – Eric Mitchell, LifeFlip Media PINPOINT THE ISSUE Focus on the issue that the partner is bringing up. Jump into the skepticism or problem and

understand what is driving the concern versus reinforcing your strengths. My point of view is that an objection (or skepticism) is just an unanswered question. Once moving forward,

communication will be key to creating a lasting partnership and trust. – David Dorton, Ritual Beverage Company COMMUNICATE WITH INTEGRITY Effective communication and integrity are critical

to making sure that past experiences don’t impede a still-blossoming partnership. You have one chance to make a strong first impression, so it’s important not to leave any stone unturned.

Ask questions. Then listen to responses. Understand where expectations were not met, and then describe in detail how you will satisfy those needs. – Chris Stubbs, GenCanna Acquisition Corp

EDITOR’S PICKS The Rolling Stone Culture Council is an invitation-only community for Influencers, Innovators and Creatives. _Do I qualify?_ LISTEN TO THEIR STORY My recommendation is first

to listen to your partner’s story. Then, explore their case deeper because they almost surely didn’t give you the complete story. Then, put your partner’s case into your own context and

share with them a similar experience you may have had, always remembering to anchor your story back to their experience. Hopefully, by sharing your own experience, trust can start to be

built. – Erik Rind, ImagineBC IMAGINE TOGETHER Though past experience is relevant to future thinking, it can also obstruct creative thought. Ask this question: If you had it all your way,

what world would you like to co-create together? This pushes old self-limiting behavior to the side, giving room for imagination and vision alignment. – Erik Oberholtzer, Tender Greens /

cohere MAKE SURE YOU’RE ON THE SAME PAGE I think the key to any great partnership is communication. Make sure you’re on the same page every step of the way. It’s something that will get

easier as you go along, and nurturing those relationships especially in the beginning stages will ensure a successful team environment. – Karina Michel Feld, Tallulah Films TURN A NEW LEAF I

believe that starting on a fresh note and trusting their judgment will help build relations. Working closely with them without stifling their thinking helps to create a partnership of

equality. Giving them the respect they deserve and letting go of the past is the best way to move forward.  – Victoria Kennedy, Marisa Johnson PRIORITIZE AUTHENTICITY The key is being as

authentic as possible when dealing with your new partner. The distrust they have is with their ex-partner, not with you; therefore, being open and honest about every intention you have will

eventually help eliminate concerns about their past negative experiences. Transparency leads to trust, which will soon build confidence in the solutions you both bring to the table. –

Tiffany Gaines, SS Global Entertainment DEMONSTRATE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY Unless you’re just starting out, most folks have had situations where expectations weren’t met or things

didn’t work out the way they expected. Being transparent about things that haven’t worked out for you in the past as well can often be a great way to build rapport with that partner and

demonstrate a willingness to be transparent and accountable in your work going forward. – Chris Murray, FoxNRTH Inc.