How to call it quits after being in a long term business partnership

This week, award-winning electronic music duo Daft Punk shocked the world when they announced they were parting ways after 28 years, for no particular reason. Experts break down when and how to call it quits when you share a business or creative legacy

In 2006, French electronic music duo Daft Punk directed a sci-fi film called Electroma. This Monday, they released an excerpt of it in an eight-minute video titled Epilogue only to announce that they were now defunct, thus putting a halt to their 28-year-old involving legacy. The announcement sent shockwaves across the industry. His publicist confirmed the split but gave no reason for it. Any die-hard fan wouldn't expect it either, as the helmet-wearing act were never one to abide by convention.

Whatever their reason may be, the decision to disband was important. So, we invited city-based life coaches Milind Jadhav and Pinky Acharya to dissect when and how individuals who are in professional partnerships for a long time decide it's time to leave.

Pharrell Williams bows down to the duo on stage at the 56th Grammy Awards in 2014. Pic / AFP

Identify the tipping point: In any relationship, Acharya says, the signs of it wearing out manifests in other areas of life - be it physical health or finances. "You know it's time to quit when you are more stressed than happy," she states.

Ideas can change: In shared businesses of any kind, it is crucial that both partners share the same vision. People are driven to split up when their visions don’t match, asserts Acharya. “When you start something, both parties try and be conducive to each other. Later, creative differences can occur. For instance, a brand logo may be important to you but your partner doesn’t want one,” she explains.

Milind Jadhav

People change, too: Your partner may not be the same person you entered into a partnership with 10 years ago. “They may evolve into something that is not acceptable to you or may not be putting in the required effort,” says Acharya. Jadhav concurs, and adds that people often end up living a life of compromise. “The issue always boils down to the inability or unwillingness to see things from the other person’s perspective. If you’re actually committed to something you can always make anything work for however long you wish to,” he maintains.

Make it official: Just like Daft Punk did, always make a professional split official. “You may have pre-signed contracts, so first consult lawyers and find out what they say,” Acharya advises. She also recommends easing the process of moving on, instead of sparking a long-drawn war. “Communicate the decision to split with empathy,” she says. Jadhav insists on quitting only when you know you’ve given your best. He suggests asking yourself the following questions: “Is this partnership working for me? Have I learnt my lesson here? Am I just running away and replacing this person with another person? Is the issue this relationship, my partner or myself?”

Pinky Acharya

Punk power

Daft Punk was formed in Paris in 1993 by Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, and will go down as one of the most influential acts in dance music. In 2014, they created history when they won a Grammy for Album of the Year - making them the first electronic act to win in this big category. 

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