Trust Builds Partnerships. Contingency Plans Keep Them Alive.
Why do we form partnerships?
Some chase capital. Others desire experience, relationships, or shared vision. Whatever the reason, all partnerships rest on the strong foundation of trust.
But trust alone isn’t a plan.
I’m currently navigating a partnership negotiation that didn’t go exactly as expected. That’s life. And I’m reminded that, in general, the question isn’t if things go wrong—but what kind of leader you’ll be when they do.
In the military, we never entered a mission without a contingency plan for the Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA).
The MDCOA wasn’t the most likely outcome—but if it happened, we were ready to continue moving forward. No panic. No guessing. Just clear steps in motion.
Leaders don’t react to chaos. They respond.
The same is true in business.
Every partnership agreement should force you to consider the hard questions:
What if it doesn’t go as planned?
What if your partner changes course?
What if the worst-case clause is triggered?
It’s not fun to think about. But studying the battlefield—your legal documents, your expectations, your fallback options—is not just wise; it’s responsible.
Here’s your Steady Leader challenge for your week ahead:
Ask yourself: Why do I choose to enter into partnerships?
Study your active partnership agreements. Identify the clauses with which you’re most uncomfortable.
Write down a plan for the first three steps you’d take if the “worst case scenario” happened.
Your team deserves a leader who brings clarity to the storm.
Build on trust; but lead with preparation.
~ Schuyler
Written by Schuyler Williamson
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God Bless!
~ Schuyler Williamson