What Do I Do?
Dear Nancy,
I recently found out that my business partner has been lying and sabotaging me and our company. I thought I had made a good decision bringing him on board, but I’m secondguessing my ability to read people. I was deceived so easily and I feel like my self-trust is on the verge of shattering. My partner constantly talks up opportunities and connections that made me feel confident about my faith in him, but none have come through. He always reassured me that important tasks would be taken care of only for me to find out nothing had been accomplished. Now that I’ve started seeing red flags, I can’t believe I ever fell for his manipulation in the first place. I always thought I was smarter than that. I feel completely blindsided by someone I considered a friend. The economic slumps the last few years have already left the company on the verge of collapse and now I’m playing an even bigger game of catch-up.
This entire time, I thought I was two steps ahead with enough momentum to carry the company through, but now I know my entire career is connected to, and reliant on, a liar. I’m trying to push through but I’m devastated and consumed with anxiety about how I’ll be able to pay my bills. How can I forgive myself for letting this happen and muster the strength to pick up the broken pieces? Sincerely, What Do I Do
Dear What Do I Do,
I hear your devastation and understand the feeling of self-doubt clawing at you. Anytime you get stabbed in the back, it is easy to place blame on yourself, but we see all the time that people know how to put on a show. Rather than feeling guilty, try being proud that you have become awake enough to be aware of things that don’t seem quite right. Catching these errors is what makes a good businessperson. In regard to your next steps, perhaps you hire an attorney to discuss your options. Getting lawyers involved can feel scary and extreme, but focus on getting informed.
If the company cannot be salvaged with your partner, maybe it is time to venture out and start a new one. While it might seem daunting, starting fresh can give you the opportunity to begin anew. Rather than beating yourself up for missteps, be grateful your eyes are now wide open and you can move forward from a place of clarity. When you can let go, you’ll automatically feel lighter every day. It can be difficult to find motivation when you feel taken advantage of, so attempt to absorb energy from like-minded professionals to inspire you. Its only natural that by surrounding yourself with comradery from an untrustworthy source, you feel run down.
Try finding a podcast run by other leaders to guide you through this difficult time. Refocusing your attention to success and strength will increase your self-worth as you embark on this new chapter.