Should You Work With Your Friends? with my friend Will Guidara
Dec 10, 2024
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Will Guidara, renowned restaurateur and author of 'Unreasonable Hospitality,' explores the challenges of mixing friendship with business. He shares insights on balancing humility and confidence, emphasizing how support enhances personal success. The discussion dives into the emotional dynamics of professional partnerships, highlighting the importance of honesty and vulnerability. They also address the complexities of friendship breakups and the necessity of effective communication in maintaining both personal and professional relationships.
Starting a business with friends requires clear communication and understanding to maintain both the partnership and the friendship.
Vulnerability and intentionality in friendships are essential for growth, preventing misunderstandings, and strengthening connections over time.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Friendships and Business
Starting a business with friends can be a complicated decision that hinges on the nature of the pre-existing friendship. When friendships form within a business context, the dynamics can change, as individuals are navigating dual relationships of partnership and friendship simultaneously. Successful partnerships often require clear expectations and a mutual understanding of commitment levels, ensuring that nothing is left to assumption. Open communication about responsibilities and motivations can help prevent conflicts and preserve the friendship during business challenges.
Personal Identity and Professional Transitions
Transitioning from one career to another can lead to an identity crisis, especially when one's profession was the cornerstone of their identity. The discussion highlights how life-altering events, such as a partnership falling apart, can trigger a reevaluation of personal goals and career paths, illustrated by a recent journey from successful restaurateur to becoming a thought leader in hospitality. This shift can lead to an unexpected focus on personal growth and learning through teaching, showcasing a different definition of success that is not strictly tied to one's previous identity. The realization allows individuals to explore new opportunities while still applying their core principles.
Navigating Vulnerability and Confidence in Relationships
Vulnerability plays a crucial role in the depth of friendships and partnerships, often requiring individuals to confront their ego and admit mistakes. Honest communication about feelings, particularly during conflicts, fosters stronger connections and helps maintain balance in a relationship. The ability to be vulnerable can facilitate growth in confidence, enabling individuals to engage more authentically with their friends or business partners. Ultimately, the courage to embrace vulnerability can lead to a deeper understanding and respect between individuals, significantly enhancing their relationships.
The Importance of Intentionality in Friendships
Friendships require the same level of effort and intentionality as romantic or business relationships, often lacking the contracts that protect those other relationships. People can be lazy or avoidant in addressing issues within friendships, leading to deteriorating connections that could have thrived with more investment. By openly discussing feelings and experiences, individuals can strengthen their friendships, turning potential breakups into opportunities for deeper bonds. Recognizing the value of friendships and dedicating time to nurture them can prevent regrets and foster a support network that enriches all aspects of life.
They say business and pleasure don’t mix. But what about business and friends?
My dear friend Will Guidara is the perfect person to dive into this question because we're actively trying to get into business together. And, let's just say, it requires a lot of effort.
In addition to being someone I love, Will is a renowned restaurateur, known for owning and operating Eleven Madison Park, once named the best restaurant in the world. He’s also the author of the brilliant book Unreasonable Hospitality and a co-producer of the FX television series The Bear.
Will and I have worked together before, so I was excited to chat with him about turning friends into colleagues, the reality of friendship breakups at work, and why sometimes showing respect means we have to change the way we treat a friend.