The Importance Of Flexibility When Selling A Business

When selling a business, being flexible involves having an open mind and being aware of different perspectives. It requires listening and understanding other people's points of view without ditching your feelings. Building up your resilience by facing challenges head-on instead of avoiding them is also an effective way to develop flexibility.

The value of flexibility in business deals cannot be understated. The most successful business people understand that for buyers and sellers to reach an agreement, there needs to be a certain level of flexibility from both parties. When you emotionally connect to your business, you may find it harder to create and maintain balance throughout the selling process.

You Can Learn to Change or Hire a Business Broker!


Personality types can be classified into various categories based on different frameworks, including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Big Five Personality Traits, and more. However, when it comes to the traits of rigidity and flexibility, individuals can be classified as being too rigid, too flexible, or balanced.


Individuals who are too rigid are often inflexible in their thinking and approach to different situations. They tend to have a narrow focus and an unwillingness to adapt to change, often relying on rigid rules and procedures to govern their behavior. They may struggle with unexpected challenges or deviations from their plan, leading to frustration and anxiety. People who are too rigid may come across as stubborn, inflexible, or controlling. This inflexibility can negatively affect relationships, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Too much flexibility can be detrimental as it can lead to a lack of stability and discipline. People who are too flexible may appear indecisive, unreliable, or easily influenced. Individuals who are too relaxed may find it challenging to make decisions and need help establishing boundaries. They may be easily swayed by the opinions of others, leading to indecisiveness and a lack of direction.

Despite our personalities, people generally learn to moderate and balance their extremes at work so they succeed in meeting their goals.

Individuals with a balanced approach to rigidity and flexibility can adapt to new situations while maintaining a sense of structure and direction. They have an open mind and are receptive to new ideas while still having a solid understanding of themselves and their values. They can navigate unexpected changes while maintaining their goals and priorities. Balanced individuals often display resilience, adaptability, self-awareness, and discipline.

It is crucial to strike a balance between rigidity and flexibility in our personalities. Too much rigidity or flexibility can lead to adverse outcomes, including relationships, work, and personal growth. It is essential to develop self-awareness to recognize our tendencies towards rigidity or flexibility and take steps to establish a balanced approach to navigate through life's challenges.

It is possible to learn to become more flexible and less rigid, and it requires a willingness to change and grow. Here are some ways to develop a more balanced personality:


Practice self-awareness: Self-awareness is understanding your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is the first step in developing a more balanced personality. Self-awareness can be improved through journaling, mindfulness, and self-reflection.


Be open to new experiences: Being open to new experiences can help you become more flexible. It allows you to see things from different perspectives and develop new skills. Try new foods, read books outside your typical genre, or take a class on something you've never tried.


Embrace change: Change can be difficult, but it's essential to embrace it to become more flexible. Make a conscious effort to adapt to change, even if uncomfortable. This can help you develop a sense of resilience and adaptability.


Learn to let go of control: Rigid individuals often struggle with letting go of control. Learning to delegate, trust others, and accept that things won't always go as planned can help you become more flexible.


Set boundaries: While being flexible is essential, setting boundaries is equally important. Setting boundaries helps you establish a sense of control and direction. Understand your limits and learn to say no when necessary.


Seek feedback: Seeking feedback from others can help you gain a new perspective and understand how your behavior impacts those around you. It can be helpful to ask for feedback from a mentor, coach, or trusted friend.


Practice patience: Developing a more balanced personality takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate small victories along the way.


Becoming more flexible and less rigid requires a conscious effort to develop self-awareness, embrace change, and set boundaries. By being open to new experiences, seeking feedback, and practicing patience, you can develop a more balanced personality that allows you to adapt to new situations while still maintaining a sense of structure and direction.

With a balanced approach to your business sale process, keep in mind that buyers are not just interested in price; they are also looking for payment terms, closing dates, and other conditions related to the transfer of ownership. Being flexible means not getting stuck on a price but being able to balance all the factors so that both parties experience a win-win deal.

Consider all offers carefully in scenarios where you have more than one buyer. Flexibility allows negotiation on critical features of the sale, including pricing, payment terms, and closing dates. Having some wiggle room in these variables gives buyers confidence that they will get what they need from the transaction.

Flexibility positively impacts potential buyers, who are more likely to work with a seller who is willing to consider other offers and show open-mindedness in negotiations. Always create a scenario with room for give-and-take, so the buyer feels heard and seen in the negotiation process.

However, knowing when to be flexible and when not takes skill and practice and experience. A good rule of thumb is to decide whether being flexible makes sense for a particular situation.


For example: suppose a buyer is taking on liabilities, and you are asking for an "unfair" price. In that case, the buyer will likely walk away from the deal. Or, flipped to the seller's perspective, be mindful of due diligence when a buyer offers longer payment terms to protect yourself and avoid future issues or liabilities.



In conclusion, the importance of flexibility when selling a business cannot be understated. Try to balance being too rigid or too flexible. Developing balance is a crucial skill that can help you navigate life gracefully and effortlessly.

Flexibility can make all the difference in the transaction's success. Knowing when to be flexible and when not to, takes skill and experience. Always create a scenario with room for give-and-take, so the buyer feels heard and seen in the negotiation process.

Many people learn to balance their personality traits in work situations through education and experiences in life. Self-awareness is the key.

Your First Choice Business Broker has the education, skill, and experience to balance the sales process and help you to meet your goals and complete a win - wins sales transaction.

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