This document discusses complex business relationships that have multiple dimensions beyond a simple work relationship. Complex relationships can occur when a work relationship also includes other personal dimensions like being friends, family, or romantic partners. This can lead to emotions or decisions spilling over between the relationship dimensions. The document provides strategies for avoiding complex relationships like clarity and structure in defining each relationship dimension. It notes that complex relationships are challenging and areas like family businesses, workplace romance, and friends evaluating performance can trigger ethical dilemmas.

1. © Intellectus Business Coaching – All Rights Reserved R. Brad Lebo, Ph. D. www.intellectuscoaching.com

9. Relatives

10. Romantic Partner

11. Fellow Community Members (country club, church, neighborhoods, colleges, etc.)

12. Also Second Degree Associations (friends of friends, friend of relatives, etc.)

14. Relatives

15. Romantic Partner

16. Fellow Community Members (country club, church, neighborhoods, colleges, etc.)

17. Also Second Degree Associations (friends of friends, friend of relatives, etc.)

19. For example, a boss is also a relative. If someone is in this position, the person evaluating his/her performance and deciding on factors such as assignments, pay, promotion, etc. is also a relative.

21. decisions that “spill” over from one relationship to the next.

24. not always practical or even desirable.

26. Clarity/Structure

30. Another way is to agree that pay will be linked to an independent source. For example, pay set at 125% of the industry average for a particular position.

33. Clarity/Structure

34. Process

36. Clarity/Structure

38. Develop Clarity/Structure about multiple dimensions of relationship.

40. Social networking increases the challenge because it lowers the control over boundaries between what is known both personally and professionally.

42. workplace romance, and

43. friends rating performance or judging compensation.

45. the personal dimensions of a relationship “spill” over into the professional dimensions and confer privilege, and

47. © Intellectus Business Coaching – All Rights Reserved R. Brad Lebo, Ph. D. www.intellectuscoaching.com