One of the greatest mistakes you can make in love and relationships is not knowing what you have.
Are you in a partnership with someone’s son or daughter? Or are you in a relationship with them?
Confused?
We are here to help.
A lack of awareness of the nature of your relationship and the differences between relationship types is a recipe for disaster because you may face unmet expectations, poor communication, and other problems.
So, in this article, we have a partnership vs. relationship matchup to help you understand both relationship statuses.
Partnership vs. relationship: key differences
Before we discuss the differences, let’s start by defining each of them.
What is a partnership?
When looking up the term “partnership” on the internet, you will most likely land on definitions from a business perspective since there is not much about partnerships in love. But this is what we’ll be focusing on.
A partnership is a relationship between two people working together as a team to accomplish a common goal. When you are in a partnership, you love and understand each other. Additionally, you are willing to work with your partner for the relationship’s success and happiness.
In a partnership, you don’t worry even when you can’t see eye to eye because you both want to achieve the same thing. Therefore, you stick together despite the obstacles.
Ultimately, respect is present, and no partner has greater power than the other.
Some of the qualities present in a partnership include; shared values and goals, love, a deep friendship, shared duties, kindness, trust, mutual support, compromise, intimacy and connection, independence, and a whole lot of communication.
What is a relationship?
Now, on to a relationship.
Well, a relationship is how two people connect and associate with each other. Well, a relationship looks like this: you meet someone, develop a strong connection, they have the most important qualities on your must-have list, and ultimately, you fall in love.
The connection in a relationship is ongoing, and it may or may not turn into something great in the long run. Because a relationship is based on expectations, each person has their own, which, if they are not met, creates a problem.
Relationships are different. However, most of them have the following features: respect, intimacy, effective communication, trust, compromise, and honesty.
What are the differences between a partnership and a relationship?
A partnership needs more than love to succeed. It feels more positive than a relationship.
So, what are the differences between the two?
Here’s a table comparing the two.
| Partnership | Relationship |
| Partners are focused on achieving shared goals and purposes. | Partners are focused on personal connection and emotional support. |
| In partnerships, partners are not chasing feelings since they have already established them. Partners try to achieve something greater than that. | Relationships can rely on feelings and chemistry. Partners are together because they care about one another. As a result, if the feelings fade, the relationship ends. |
| Partnerships are stable. The people involved are confident in each other, so even if they fight, it can hardly go out of control because they understand the value of the relationship is greater than their issues. | Relationships are volatile. Sometimes they are on and off because of the extreme ups and downs brought about by their egos. |
| Partners in partnerships are selfless. | Sometimes there’s selfishness in relationships. |
| There is clarity in partnerships brought about by clear communication between partners. There are no doubts since partners don’t second-guess each other. | Relationships can be confusing. |
| Partnerships are all about the “we.” | In relationships, the “I” is more important than the “we.” |
| Partnerships are not destructive because the people involved are working to nurture their relationship and themselves. | Relationships can be destructive, especially when you are with someone who is not right for you. |
Conclusion
There you have it—the main differences between partnerships and relationships. A relationship involves partners being with each other to fill a void or an immediate need. On the other hand, partnerships involve a long-term commitment where each partner contributes to the success of the relationship.
Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.”
Ultimately, being in a partnership is great. Partners can withstand the ups and downs of relationships. But having a solid partnership requires trust, mutual understanding, shared power, and a little sacrifice that goes a long way.
