Things continue the way they begin

Have you ever been trapped behind a car driven by someone who has just done something annoying or silly (at least as far as you are concerned)? If so, you may have noticed they will repeat offend. Every few hundred metres they are bound to do something which is equally or even more infuriating to you.

Partly this is because after the first spot of bother you are actively looking to find fault, but more importantly it is because things generally continue the way they begin.

If the driver of the other car does something you deem to be stupid they probably have other traits or shortcomings which will cause you to become querulous.

The same is frequently true in business. I have been guilty of it in the past and I observe it often - people who mistakenly persist with trying to work with someone (partner; shareholder; manager; leader; supplier; customer) when there have been early warning signs that the relationship will not work.

Business is all about relationships. Effective relationships are the building blocks for any powerful business.

If there are strong early warning signs that a key strategic relationship isn't working for you it is often better to quickly figure out a productive way to exit the relationship rather then waste energy in trying to make it work.

Otherwise things have habit of continuing the way they begin.