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IX.
Amiable Separation or Messy Divorce: Were Goals Realized or Were Promises/Expectations Broken? |
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As time passes and more information is available from internal and external sources, it may become obvious to either one or both parties that dissolution of the alliance is necessary, or it may be beneficial to the economic health of either or both parties. Separation is not necessarily bad. If separation is for positive reasons and both parties agree, the separation, in fact, can be amiable and beneficial. |
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Obviously there are many reasons for dissolving a partnership, both positive and negative. It must also be clear that it is unwise to maintain a partnership when, clearly, it should be dissolved. In these cases, several arguments are raised for continuing the partnership, such as the amount of time, energy, and money invested so far (The concept of sunk cost can not be supported as a valid reason for continuing an alliance when there is clear reason for dissolution, but it is used.), reluctance to realize that the situation needs to change, or a selfish reason (either personal or corporate). In all of these examples, the pain of dissolution is not as bad as the damage possible from continuing. One always has to determine if it is better to live in misery or under guarded conditions in the hope of salvaging something at the end or to break the relationship cleanly and move on. |
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If there are negative reasons for breaking the alliance, such as deterioration of trust, respect, or communication, there are opportunities to revive the partnership with the help of a mediator, a consultant, or a more active role of the alliance's managerial staff. However, both parties must feel that there is something worth saving and are willing to put in the effort to make it work. In some cases, the effort needed may be more than one or both parties are willing to expend. In other cases, the real reason for the separation may not be one that people really want to hear. In either case, clean separation is better than the lingering misery of continued cohabitation. |
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During the course of an alliance, there can be many valid reasons presented for dissolving the partnership. As in any long-term relationship, arguments will erupt and differences of opinion can create walls, hostility, and communication barriers. In a strong alliance, avenues are available to deal with differences and problems, and resolution is straightforward and fair. However, if the means to resolve problems are not well defined or procedures are in place that simply do not work or are not used, separations can and do occur for the wrong reasons. |
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