Many pride themselves on living or working in an “equal partnership”, where each person contributes equally and gains as much from that association. But is bringing equal shares possible? Is maintaining a détente necessary for the success of a relationship?
As we all know well, no two people are alike. Every person possesses a unique array of skills, strengths, interests, and shortcomings. When one enters a relationship, they bring into it their skills and strengths, bad habits, and other less-favorable traits. SO does the other person (or persons), and together they utilize their union by contributing their fortes and supplementing for each other’s flaws. The relationship advances through limits’ testing and norms’ establishing, discovering which may be acceptable and which may not be.
A relationship does not become equal only on a decision by the partners. It takes great care and continued inspection to keep it on that chosen course. We are all humans with a certain past and upbringing. We bring bad habits, odd traditions, and old standards that can contribute to the attrition of that equality. Failure of the partners to address elements that erode that balance, or worse, accepting those rogue elements and hoping that partner will address them independently is a guarantee to an imbalance.
The primary test for a partnership, be it personal or professional, is the continuous development and improvement of the relationship. Relationships are dynamic in nature, and there will almost always be some part that squeaks in them. It may not affect the association negatively if promptly addressed, but failure to do that could lead to a full breakdown.
When properly maintained, the partnership may produce a variety of products: joy, happiness, physical, emotional, and sexual satisfaction, financial gain and success, children, social status, and more. Those elements of partnership success can be achieved through mutual support, care and respect, and a shared vision and responsibility of the path and goals ahead. Recognizing each other’s traits and working together to enhance strengths and supplement weaknesses where needed. Keeping an open mind and heart toward the other, communicating frankly and with humility, giving mutual respect, and treating our partner as we would like to be treated.
Concluding from the above, there is no true equal partnership. The relationship’s equality is represented in the steady course it maintains, its ability to remain sound and directed through turbulent times and events, and the confidence it instills in those who depend on it. The differences between the partners are assets that they bring to maximum use through the relationship. Shared interests are great to start with; the growth and success of a connection require reciprocal nourishment and contribution. These measures are the fuel that propels the partnership forward and the gauges for its success. Do your best to make every romantic, friendly, and professional relationship as successful and productive as you can. When you need help navigating it, you know whom to call. Yes, me!