4 things to keep in mind while chasing a co-founder

While it is true that too many cooks spoil the broth, a business works well with more than one mind involved. The countless hours spent in starting the business and helping it grow can become a lot easier and enjoyable if you have a compatible person with you, helping you get it done.

Bouncing ideas off each other and making peace with diverse perspectives can broaden the vision of your startup. Here are some things to consider while choosing a co-founder for your revolutionary business venture:

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Complementary traits and skills

It is important to gauge the skill set, abilities and experience of the person under consideration. For a new business, you should focus on the values a person brings to the table and whether they are unique and in line with the vision of the business. It is essential for co-founders to complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses to be able to make sound decisions in times of crises.

Passion and commitment

Any business starts and grows out of an idea that is driven by passion and commitment. A successful business requires an enormous commitment that comes naturally to people who believe in the business’s potential. Having a partner who shares your passion and ideas can take your business a long way.

Energy and strength

To run a startup, one needs serious energy. There is no scope of being tired, physically or mentally, when you have committed to the business plan. While lows and failures are bound to pull you down, you should be involved with optimistic people who have the energy to get over these failures and restart the efforts with determination. A negative presence with a lethargic soul could probably lead to a complete breakdown of everyone around. Make sure you find someone who delivers the best results and has the strength to rise from losses and start afresh.

Respect and flexibility

In an interview with Mashable, Adam Somlai-Fischer, Co-founder of Prezi, recognised the importance of appreciating and acknowledging each other’s strengths: “We are all very distinct in our professional skills, but there has always been a very strong curiosity in each other’s interests.”

Do not give up on your ideas, but modify them along the way as and when you learn from your failures. Committing to an idea is basic, but being able to adapt with changing times requires a free-spiritedness that is hard to find. More than anything, trust and a mutual respect for each other's skills and opinions are what drive a partnership and help deal with any flaw or shortcoming.

Always keep in mind that the true measure of a partnership is not when things are going as planned but when things are out of hand. So make sure that you choose someone whom you can count on during such times.