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What does it mean to work as a team in a relationship? As a team player, you must be willing to compromise for the good of the relationship, not just for the good of yourself. One partner always giving in to the other can build resentment over time.
Elizabeth, 30, had been married to Charles, 32, for more than six years. She was a stay-at-home wife and he was a top business executive. Charles’ work has kept him so busy that he really thinks that he has no time to start a family. His frequent business travels have kept him away from home for several days, and even weeks at a time. Like a typical workaholic, Charles has made the same mistake committed by many career-driven husbands — neglecting his wife.
This situation has even made Elizabeth think that Charles is really married to his career and not to her. Elizabeth and Charles had been fighting more than ever before and it was obvious that there was already a serious problem with their marriage. She accuses him of being cold and indifferent, and he accuses her of being a nagger. All their marital woes have caused them enormous stress and anxiety.
Luckily, Elizabeth had discovered how to start a blog. She gained access to a proven roadmap for turning her profitable passion into “customer-attracting-passive-income-generating” digital products, courses, and services that SOLD OUT…without launching! Within twelve months, she was able to retire Charles from his job allowing him to work alongside her in their online business.
Working as a Team
Aside from financial trouble, infidelity, and problems with the in-laws, many marriages suffer from a simple lack of communication. Like Elizabeth and Charles, many couples fail to resolve their problems early on. As a result, couples grow further apart and are left to struggle with their respective anger and frustration.
Instead of speaking with each other as adults, many couples resort to withdrawal or silent treatment. In many cases, couples have already formed the way they communicate based on how their own parents communicated with each other. A person who grew up with parents who constantly fight has the tendency to be argumentative too. A person who was raised by parents who ignored each other whenever they had problems may have the tendency to ignore his partner and his own problems in marriage.
On the job, you learn to collaborate with others even if you don’t have much in common with them. If you can do that, you might think it would be easy to work as a team with your significant other. Unfortunately, this winds up being a major challenge for many couples.
As much as you love each other, you may need to develop skills that will help you to interact effectively. You may also want to invest more time and energy into your relationship to nurture your emotional connection and sense of commitment.
One of the joys of being in a romantic relationship is the opportunity to support each other’s goals and dreams. Find out how to pull together and lay a solid foundation with this guide for working as a team.
Teamwork Strategies for Couples
The most satisfying relationships happen when two people genuinely care about each other and enjoy spending time together.
Of course, it’s not always easy to maintain an enduring love. Yet, when you’re committed to making the effort, you will discover what it takes to make it last whilst working as a team.
With this in mind, let’s take a closer look…
Communicate Effectively.
It is said that it takes two to tango and it takes two to argue. But many marriages end up in separation or divorce precisely because the couple even evades quarrels and just chooses to ignore their problem. With mutual silent treatment, a couple denies their own opportunity to discuss and hopefully resolve their problem. And when they do talk, the couples would often just exchange accusations and even hurl invectives at one another.
Many women complain that men are so cold, indifferent, and insensitive to their needs and to the issues that affect their relationship. They say that men spend too much time at the office and neglect their duties as husband and father. Women feel angry when men go home only to spend time in front of the television or go out to have drinking sprees with their friends. Men, on the other hand, complain that women are so boisterous, jealous, and nagging all the time.
So, let us fix this. Simply listen to each other and try to understand your partner’s point of view even if you disagree. Validate their feelings and experiences. Discuss sensitive subjects instead of brushing them under the rug.
Seek Compromises.
Most people get involved in a relationship for the right reasons and leave a relationship for the wrong reasons. In fact, most of us have been guilty of it at one time or another and of being a complete spaz demanding we get our way in the relationship. Remember the movie He Said, She Said? A constant power struggle ensues when you make the relationship all about you. So why do we do it?
In our relationship goals, we need to be much more aware of ourselves, our habits, our desires, our likes, and our dislikes. The focus should not be on the person, the focus should be on the relationship. Even in the dating context – it could lead to something serious – we should focus on the relationship goals. What is it you want in a relationship? Who are you in a relationship? What do you need from the relationship?
When you can answer these questions more clearly and you find yourself able to understand what you can give to the relationship, you choose your partners more wisely. You also communicate more openly and honestly because it is less about you and more about the relationship. The other person can listen better because it is more about the relationship and less about them. And adjustments can be made so much more smoothly from both sides when we communicate in the relationship.
So, look at it like a triangle. You are on one side, your partner on the other. Instead of eyeballing and measuring each other, look to the peak – the Relationship. That’s your goal, that’s your partner’s goal, and you look only at yourself in comparison to the relationship goals. You are working as a team, you see the goal, and now you can work more effectively together.
Be willing to meet each other in the middle. When you reach an impasse, search for solutions that are inclusive and fair. Maintain reasonable boundaries while accommodating your partner’s needs.
Resolve Conflicts.
Foremost among the reasons that lead to marital discord are financial issues. Most couples are unable to or find it extremely difficult to broach the topic openly and honestly. Although the reasons may be different for each couple, being disorganized and unable to communicate are common.
In order to avoid serious consequences, it is necessary for couples to implement the art of budgeting and money management. Couples should avoid conflict over purchases made by each other and learn to respect each other’s opinions.
The initial step is to sit down and discuss the income and expenditure. If there is a lack of communication, which is the case most of the time, this discussion could end in a heated argument. It is important to decide on a strategy beforehand, to prevent an ugly situation. For example, get up and drink a glass of water, take a few deep breaths, go for a short walk and then resume the dialogue or invite a friend to be a part of the discussion.
Disagreements can strengthen your relationship if you deal with them constructively. Be direct and respectful. Take time out if you need to calm down. Working as a team, decide to let little things go and acknowledge your part in any difficulties.
Set Your Priorities.
What you may consider a priority might not be to another person. Conversely, other peoples’ priorities might not be a priority to you. It doesn’t mean though that you can’t have similar priorities.
Explore your values and use them to create goals that you can pursue together. Ensure that you want the same things out of life.
Priorities are different from goals. They are aspects in your family’s life that you, as a family, want to set focus on, say health or your children’s future. While goals are specific targets that support priorities.
Whatever your priorities are, you can have them as long as you focus your time on them. However, in setting priorities, do not set too many as it defeats the purpose. Ideally, there should only be one, but because life is not ideal, 2 to 3 are reasonable.
As the priorities are set and agreed upon, write them down. Post the paper where everybody can see them to remind them of what your family is focused on for the next few years.
Express Gratitude.
If you truly want to bring everything you desire into your life, start appreciating all that you have now. Here’s how it works – you bring into your life whatever it is that you focus your thoughts upon. So, if you focus on all that is lack in your life, you get more lack. But if you focus appreciation on all that you have, you get more of what you want.
Remember what you like about your partner and tell them about it. Show your gratitude in actions and words. Cook their favorite dinners. Leave love notes in their coat pockets.
Life is better when you feel blessed, when you can look around and say “Thank you, God.” Religious or not, when you see life as a wonderful gift, your experience is a richer one than any amount of money can provide. Imagine going through life like you’re a child, and every morning is Christmas.
Keep a journal. Start writing down every positive thing that happens to you, and all the things you like. Do this until you start automatically seeing the good things in life. If you’ve ever bought a white car, and started seeing white cars all over, you know how awareness can alter your perception of reality. To see wonderful things all over, train yourself to look for them.
When you are in the habit of “counting your blessings,” gratitude and a much richer experience of life are the natural results.
Celebrate Each Other.
There are many important things in life. Learning, growing, loving, and exploring are all things that each person should take time for. Working as a team, it’s important to understand how to celebrate each other, which adds excitement and a lot of fun to life.
Celebrations can happen for a variety of formal or informal reasons. Celebrations of all kinds give us the excitement to keep making it through days that seem purposeless.
We use celebrations as an excuse to gather with the friends and family that mean the most to us. We also enjoy celebrations because they allow us to remember the things in life that truly matter. As we celebrate, we allow the stresses of life to fall behind and we spend our time doing things we love with the people we love. There is something about a great celebration that reminds us of the purpose of our life and of the power of our closest relationships.
Think of ways to incorporate celebrations of all kinds into your life. Make a big deal out of birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries. Throw huge celebrations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other holidays that are important to your religious beliefs. One of the biggest keys to getting the most out of life is to have celebrations for no real reason at all. Just invite your friends over, cook great food and spend a few hours playing games that cause laughter and build a friendship.
Working as a team, both persons should practice building each other up. Celebrate your partner’s victories and reassure them when they’re struggling. Do what you can to remove obstacles from their path and realize when to hold back too.
Coordinate Your Routines.
You can help each other more if you stay organized. Share updates on your daily activities. Plan your menus and divide household chores. Try to avoid overcomplicating your lives as much as you can.
Let’s drill deeper…
To forget is human but if it happens all the time you need to take some serious action. From your Doctors Appointment, business meeting, or getting clothes from the dry cleaners, if you miss one thing you may be in for dire consequences.
A Daily Organizer is a lifesaver and your secretary that will remind you of your scheduled meetings and appointments.
It is not just for the working or business class. For a homemaker, it is equally useful as it has a calendar, calculator, name, address, and phone number tab, pouches where you can store your grocery coupons, and space to write whatever you want. You can maintain a file of your weekly expense and thus keep a track of your finances.
Time management is the mantra to organize business, home, family, and recreation. All this makes a healthy you and it should be balanced. An organizer always lets you be focused, doesn’t let you miss anything, and helps you to take charge of the situation.
You can also mention due dates and payment details in your daily organizer so that you don’t miss a payment and end up paying extra money as late fees. You must understand that it is only useful if you store information and go through it every night before going to sleep.
Let your life run on planning ahead; after all most top-notch businesses have been made as they planned ahead.
Team Building Activities for Couples
Find A Hobby.
You can hold onto your own interests while finding pastimes to work on together. Maybe you enjoy playing sports or going camping. Maybe you want to refinish furniture or grow your own organic vegetables.
Plan Dates.
Make time in your weekly schedule to focus on each other. Go out to grab a bite to eat or stay home and watch a movie. You may also want to double date occasionally with a couple you regard as role models.
Continue Learning.
Enjoy some mental stimulation. Sign up for classes at a local community college or take courses online. Study a foreign language or train yourself to become a social media manager.
Take a Trip.
Planning a vacation together can be just as much fun as your actual travels. Read magazines and search online for destination ideas. Pick a place where you can relax or satisfy your need for adventure. if you are working as a team.
Volunteer In Your Community.
Support worthy causes while you strengthen your bonds. Sort products and make deliveries for a food bank. Staff the front desk at an animal shelter or senior center.
Explore Your Spirituality.
Build a solid foundation for your partnership. Use reflection and prayer to help you understand your beliefs and apply them to your daily life.
Communication Skills Every Couple Should Develop
So, how can men and women, particularly in marriage deal with their marital problems? The first step that couples should take is to improve the way how they communicate with each other.
Shown below are some of the ways how couples can improve their communication skills when working as a team or in marriage:
Communicate Better as a Team
Happy couples treat each other with respect. This means that they do not criticize, undermine, or insult each other, no matter how upset they are. If you are unhappy with something your partner has done, bring it to your partner’s attention in a respectful way.
Below are 10 ways to communicate more effectively.
- No name calling and don’t make any threats.
- Don’t interrupt when your spouse is still speaking.
- Don’t dominate the discussion and stay on the same topic or issue at hand.
- Listen and pay attention to what the other is saying.
- Respect each other and be prepared to make changes in the way you think, feel, and behave.
- Avoid mentioning or bringing up past mistakes and old resentments.
- Don’t assume too much that you know what your spouse is thinking or feeling.
- Don’t presume that you’re always right in any argument.
- Try to meet halfway or compromise.
- Be honest and acknowledge the validity and importance of each other feelings.
Many couples forget that simple affirmations or small acts of love and kindness can do wonders for their marriage or relationship. A warm hug or attentively listening to your spouse can bring back a semblance of peace, love, and respect in your relationship.
Indeed, one of the keys to a lasting marriage is effective communication. Given enough time and lots of patience, any couple on the rocks can revive their marriage. It just takes a lot of listening and kind words to make your marriage a real match made in heaven.
Final Thoughts on Working as a Team
Healthy relationships require love, trust, and teamwork. Empower each other by working together towards mutual goals.
Having mutual respect, common and aligned goals, open communication, and patience are all prerequisites for successfully working as a team.
In a good relationship, two people work hard to know each other and last through the tough times together. They know each other and can anticipate what the other person needs. They know when that person needs comfort and when they need to be left alone. And, they can trust each other to do their part.
Working with your spouse surely has an impact on your personal relationship. Some couples say working and building a business together has made their personal relationship stronger, deepening their trust and appreciation and making both their business and marriage more successful.
Unity will bring you greater happiness and success. Therefore, I hope you can utilize this couple’s guide to working as a team.
