Sweet partings are a thing of the movies. In real life, breakups aren’t just painful; they are also messy and acrimonious. Whether it is the accusations and lawsuits exchanged between companies like Sony Pictures and Zee Entertainment or the controversial ousting of individuals like Ashneer Grover at startup Bharat Pe, amicable separations seem to be rare. Even in cases like Elon Musk firing top executives at Twitter, the departures are anything but graceful.
The lack of graceful exits is evident in recent legal battles, such as Wipro suing its former CFO Jatin Dalal or the Goenka family threatening legal action against Sony after their rejection. These incidents highlight the fluid and asymmetric nature of the business world. However, it’s important to remember that ego and emotions can cloud judgment in such situations.
An example of how things can turn around is the story of Ratan Tata and Bill Ford. When Tata tried to sell his struggling car business to Ford, he faced rejection and humiliation. Yet, years later, Tata Motors bought Ford’s luxury car brands, flipping the power dynamic. This example reminds us to consider the consequences and think long-term before resorting to legal action or revenge.
Business relationships often end badly because, like in a marriage, people don’t want to think about parting when they start. There is a lack of planning for situations where partners may disagree and go their separate ways. This lack of foresight can lead to bitter disputes and damaged relationships, as seen in the Danone-Wahaha case in China.
In conclusion, graceful exits may be a rarity in the business world, but it is essential to consider the long-term consequences and approach separation with reason rather than emotions. Planning for potential disagreements and compromises can help avoid messy and acrimonious breakups.
