Trust Wisely: Treat Friends Like Strangers in Business

In navigating business deals with friends, approach them with the same caution as you would with strangers to preserve the friendship. Assumptions about character can lead to unexpected outcomes, and blind trust can result in significant losses. Rather than operating under naive optimism, maintaining a skeptical viewpoint allows for a clearer assessment of others’ true values, especially when stakes are involved. Character traits are not absolute; they exist on a spectrum influenced by context and incentive. While some may equate a transactional view with negativity, it can facilitate long-term relationships by acknowledging that every interaction has inherent stakes, inviting a more cautious and thoughtful approach to partnerships.