It has been more than 4 months since I last wrote anything here. Some difficult changes in my personal life have given me a lot to process and reflect on. Finding the right words has not been easy, but writing is something I enjoy, and I have missed it.
Difficult experiences can reveal our capacity to adapt, make hard decisions, and navigate uncertainty. They can also bring our priorities into clearer focus, helping us distinguish between what deserves our attention and what can wait.
Holding onto that perspective takes intention, especially when entrepreneurship rewards being busy. Someone who works 12 or 14 hours a day, including every weekend, does not necessarily accomplish more than someone who works reasonable hours with focus and perspective. Being rested enough to listen carefully, recognize a problem, and offer thoughtful advice has value that a timesheet cannot fully capture.
In small business acquisitions, the transaction is the reason we are working together, but it is only one part of each person’s life. Going through something difficult can also make us more aware of what other people may be carrying.
Deals fall apart all the time, and for many different reasons. Oh, the stories I have! But there are enough real challenges without adding assumptions about someone’s intentions.
The seller gathering financial records is also managing employees and customers. The buyer asking for another explanation may be preparing to invest much of the family’s savings. Beyond those responsibilities are lives that rarely enter the conversation. A health concern, a difficult relationship, or a period of exhaustion may follow someone into a meeting without ever being mentioned. Most people keep showing up and doing their jobs as best they can.
A little grace can change how those interactions unfold. Asking what is holding something up leaves more room for an honest answer than assuming someone is getting cold feet. Taking the time to understand a concern can make the next conversation easier, even when the disagreement remains.
This week, take a moment to consider whether the way you show up makes room for what others may be carrying. Extend a little grace and remember that the person across the table has a whole life beyond work just as you do.
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