It’s your hope that you never face a partnership dispute so serious that you can’t talk it out. However, the longer you’re in business together the greater chance there is that something could eventually go wrong.

If your partnership dispute continues to drag on, it may be time to consider outside help. This is where mediation comes into play. Here are some points to consider as you move in this direction:

• The root cause of the disagreement: You may have to dig deeper than what you see on the surface to really understand what’s causing the disagreement between you and your partner. For example, if you no longer trust each other, mediation can only do so much. The next time a disagreement comes to light, your trust issues may move back to the forefront.
• What you hope to accomplish: Both you and your partner have a clear idea of what’s happening, where you stand and what you want to accomplish through mediation. Laying this out on the table during your first meeting with a mediator is essential to finding a solution.
• Be willing to negotiate and compromise: If you go into mediation with the idea that you’ll get exactly what you want, you’re likely to feel some level of disappointment. Success with mediation is all about negotiation and compromise from both sides.

You want to focus your time and energy on growing your business, not working through partnership disputes. However, if you’re unable to handle things on your own, mediation is one of the best ways to resolve your issues so you can once again turn your full attention to your company.