There are different types of toxic relationships you must avoid in any business. No one ever said that business would be accessible. Maintaining healthy and productive relationships with co-workers, clients, and other business associates can often be challenging.

Failure to avoid toxic relationships in business can only spell doom and disaster for your business.

Human beings are the most difficult species to handle. Like a coach’s selection of players for the match ahead, you must put your best men forward to yield excellent results in your business.

The types of toxic relationships highlighted in this article are written to prevent “had I known…” and unnecessary headaches.

This blog post will discuss seven different toxic types of relationships to avoid in any business setting!

7 Different Toxic Types of Relationships to Avoid in any Business

1. The Pessimist

Pessimists are toxic partners who never see any idea’s bright side, never agree with any suggestions, and never believe that a plan can be feasible.

They are very comfortable with the status quo and are nonchalant toward innovative thinking that could bring about change.

A toxic partner says no to every proposal and doesn’t see enough value in your products/ services to invest in or pay for them.

Such a person doesn’t believe in your dreams enough to make sacrifices and commitments. You will end up making no progress.

Pessimistic people find the company’s goals unrealistic and impossible to achieve.

Pessimists with their negative thinking can negatively impact the productivity levels at the workplace, leading to a lack of motivation, bad work ethic, etc.

2. The Incompetent/Unqualified Toxic Types of People To Avoid In Business

It does not matter what your reasons for wanting to partner with incompetent or unqualified employees may be. Incompetent or unqualified employees are toxic partners who will slow down your progress and yield nothing in the long run.

Making up for the mistakes of an incompetent and toxic partner costs a lot of time, energy, and resources. Chitra Reddy at WiseStep likens this to “suicide” in the business world.

Unqualified partners, unfortunately, fail at meeting customer expectations lots of times. When unqualified partners fail to meet customer expectations, huge losses of time, energy, and resources are invested.

Successful individuals and businesses have a reputation for good delivery and optimal customer satisfaction. With an incompetent business partner disappointing with every delivery, the reputation of your business is set to suffer as well.

3. The Dishonest Person

A dishonest person is a toxic partner and should never be condoned in a relationship, business or otherwise.

A dishonest person is very different from a suitable business partner and a threat to security.

The word of a dishonest person is unreliable, and you could never know their true intentions. “Don’t waste your time with people who aren’t 100 percent honest and upfront from the beginning,” Jonathan says.

A toxic partner could set aside the company’s values for their gains.

4. The Manipulative Business Partner

Whilst networking, you present your best traits to people and attract those interested. Some of these people could have ulterior motives in wanting to be your business partner.

One thing I am sure of is that your company does not want to partner with someone who would intentionally withhold support until you satisfy their wants.

People who underestimate your value and feel you are nothing without them are toxic. It would be best to never do business with them as they can influence you into sacrificial thinking.

As Isaiah Hankel at Entrepreneur puts it, you’ll start to believe that you have to sacrifice your happiness for others to be happy,

5. The Prejudiced

Another set of people you can call toxic partners are prejudiced people. Prejudiced people are the set of people who have the tendencies to treat other persons differently because of their race, gender, or religious beliefs. They are known to be prejudiced in business transactions as well. These are people you should avoid.

6. People With Bad Ratings/Reviews

Always find out how the person you are about to do business with has handled business deals in the past.

You could count on a highly rated individual or business to meet expectations. However, an individual or business with bad reviews and ratings will almost always lead to another disappointing experience.

Endeavour to check ratings and reviews via Google Maps or their social media handles. e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.

7. The Bad Client/ Customer

As a business person offering goods and services, some clients are no good for you. There are toxic things in a relationship that possibly exists between yourself and a bad client that you must look out for.

Freelancers often complain of elusive clients, clients who pay too little, and, worse, clients who don’t pay. If a client is being rude, insulting, or condescending from the start, your experience working with them will likely be depressing and highly stressful. Clients who fail to respect professional boundaries are very likely to make you cross them and should be avoided.

Conclusion

Always make sure you are making the best choices in your relationship. Looking out for these toxic types of relationships in any business will ensure you have fewer heartaches. The backbone of any successful business is its people. We at Hustle Africa wish you all the best.