What Happens when Friendship Tests the Business

We've all been there.  Either a friend introduces you to an opportunity or you take a friend along to a meeting or tell them about your opportunity.  It's what your upline tells you to do - for the most part, the list of friends, aquaintances, delivery guys, etc.

But what happens if the friendship fades or is tested by the business?

Here's what happened to me.

I was introduced to a woman through my children who was struggling in life but still intelligent and wanting to improve herself. That impressed me.  She was involved in a network marketing company and as it happened I was looking for the exact product it was selling.  I signed up with no real intention of pursuing the business opportunity at that point, which was made clear at the time of signing by myself.

Anyway as time passed, we became really good friends, having the business in the background of our relationship.

Then the tables turned and the business became all our relationship was about.  The pressure placed on me was enormous. However I held my ground and kept setting boundaries and our friendship withstood the test.

Greed enters the relationship with all its ferocity and the frienship is quickly surrendered for gain. I realised at this point, I was the only one with a real emotional attachment to the friendship.

So I left the friendship behind me and went on with life - it happens. I was still registered in the business.

Malice then enters the foray so I resign from the business all together not happy at all to be helping this person succeed in any way.

Intimidation follows as fury follows over the loss.

Mmmmm maybe this really wasn't such a good idea.

Business and pleasure they say should never be mixed.  I tend to agree.  It starts out all nice with good intentions, but when money comes into the picture you cannot judge what a person will do, no matter how well you know them.

The question then raises, how friendly should you become with your team members? Can true friendships really be forged?  Possibly until the company gets into trouble, or they out perform you. You think you'll be happy for their success, but human nature is what it is and hasn't changed in centuries.

Be very careful of the line you draw in your relationships and be careful who you bring into your business because the relationships you have today will be forever changed one way or another.

Sizzle on

Kath