Relationships and Success: How Healthy Romantic Partnerships Can Contribute to Career Success

Guest article from inctherapy.org

Time is money, as they say. Entrepreneurs are always on the clock, as we all know. You probably know someone whose relationship fell apart because they “were always working” and their partner felt unimportant or ignored. So how can you have time for both a healthy business or career and a healthy relationship? Psychologists know that long-term relationships are correlated with happiness and a host of other benefits in life, including career success. 

Benefits of long-term relationships

The advantages of healthy long-term relationships are well-documented. Physicians report numerous health benefits of strong relationships. Various ways in which long-term intimate relationships have a positive impact on our emotional lives have been reported.  These results and observations are remarkably consistent over time and across contexts, with similar findings having been reported for at least the last fifty years.  

Emphasis on Healthy

Simply being in a relationship or marriage, however, does not directly correlate with happiness or a booming business. Being in a relationship that is hostile or devoid of love would likely detract from satisfaction and thriving in life. The key is to make sure the relationship is a healthy one. 

The list of what characteristics make a relationship healthy can be a long and dynamic one. A few facets that would invariably be contained on any such list includes effective communication, trust, and mutual respect. And while many of us believe these qualities are present in any new relationship where we feel a strong connection, attraction, and enjoyment, building and maintaining these features across the lifespan of the relationship will require effort and intention. 

Are Entrepreneurs or CEOs Different?

Yes and no. 

Yes, because entrepreneurs and other high-level executives do experience unique challenges and stressors that many people do not. The nontraditional workdays and long hours can be hard to balance. The emotional roller coaster of owning your own business or overseeing a company has an undeniable impact. The demands of being the face of a company or the one at which the “buck stops here” can leave little energy and emotional resources to attend to your partner’s needs. 

No, because entrepreneurs and other execs are human and possess many of the same needs and desires as other humans. In addition, the relationship issues that are common among many couples can also be found in couples where one or both partners are business owners or business leaders. 

Specific Ways Relationships Can Support Success

Since there are some general benefits of healthy relationships on health and life satisfaction, and since entrepreneurs and business leaders experience unique challenges, it begs the question: How do healthy relationships contribute to career success? The answer is multifaceted and yet can provide hope for anyone in a career with high demands. 

Business leaders and other successful people often indicate that their spouse deserves a tremendous amount of credit and gratitude for their success. They might refer to their romantic partner as their “rock”. Having a healthy relationship at home can contribute to success in many ways:

• A stable relationship often allows people to take on new and challenging opportunities at work. 
• A supportive partner can offer solace and reassurance during difficult phases in business. 
• A partner you respect can be a sounding board or incubator for new ideas.
• People who feel close to their partner are more likely to attain career goals.
• Being in a committed relationship is correlated with high productivity at work.
• Leaders who report less conflict in their relationships receive better ratings from subordinates. 
• Higher relationship satisfaction is associated with less work-related burnout.

Tips to Build a Healthy Relationship

Some relationships have a solid foundation that has been maintained or even grown over the years. If that describes your relationship then periodic check-ins on the health and satisfaction of the relationship from both partners’ perspectives, is probably sufficient to maintain the career-related benefits of the relationship. A monthly ‘state of the union’ meeting or weekly review of the highs and lows of the relationship can help make any minor adjustments as necessary.

Other relationships had a solid foundation, but the foundation has been neglected and started to crumble. This is likely due to the loss of friendship between partners. Friendship is one of the partnerships in a long-term relationship that can be forgotten as it is overshadowed by the roommate partnership, financial partnership, parenting partnership, etc. Yet, loss of friendship is one of the main reasons marriages dissolve. There are a variety of ways relationships can be renewed, including ideas or strategies that come from the perspective of a CEOs and entrepreneurs. 

There are also relationships that have never had a healthy foundation or have deteriorated significantly. Many times, the communication patterns are simply ineffective and harmful to the health of the relationship. In this case, a full relationship overhaul might be in order and is likely beyond the scope of what the couple can do themselves. Luckily, there are therapists who have developed expertise in helping couples communicate more effectively and build a strong foundation in the relationship. For example, Dr. Mike at Individual and Couples Therapy has spent the last decade learning about healthy relationships and honing his skills to help couples renew, rebuild, and arm their relationship for the good times and the bad. Most couples are in relationship distress for six years before seeking professional help. Whether you need a simple tune up or a complete rebuild, don’t hesitate to turn to professionals who understand your situation and can offer insights, tips, and tools to get you back on track. Your relationship, and your career, are worth it.