Growing complexity results in an increased potential for conflict. Such is the case when people enter into partnership to share ownership of a business. So many factors play into relationship dynamics for business partners, and they all should be considered to get a clear idea of how the characters will get along. How many partners are there? Are they sharing a physical space or do they meet online? Do their personalities gel or clash? Were they friends before joining forces or is it purely a professional relationship? Digging into their backstories will not only help you know each character, it will allow you to define the ins and outs of the relationship itself.

Below are a wide range of dynamics that may accompany this relationship. Use the ideas that suit your story and work best for your characters to bring about and/or resolve the necessary conflict.

Acknowledging each person's strengths and building roles based on them
Pitching in and doing the dirty work when it's necessary (taking on a job the character doesn't enjoy, filling a gap even though it's not an area of strength, etc.)
Showing mutual respect
Having realistic expectations for the other person
Communicating clearly about concerns or problem areas
Making personal sacrifices to make the business a priority
Being transparent with each other
Respecting personal boundaries
Being honest about how the business is really doing
Respectfully calling each other out when someone has dropped the ball or needs a kick in the pants
Taking time to get to know each other personally
Being satisfied with the status quo; not seeking growth or change
Each partner doing their own thing rather than working together
Clashing personality traits causing problems
Taking advantage of a partner's weakness
Partners not disclosing information that makes them look bad
Partners competing with each other, rather than working together
Ego getting in the way of what's best for the business
Personal feelings or shared history making it difficult to work together
Partners having different goals for the business

A personal financial situation that makes it necessary to make more money to pay bills
A partner being sidelined, requiring the others to take up the slack
An accusation by an employee (of sexual impropriety, discrimination, unethical behavior, etc.)
A partner wanting to take the business in a different direction (targeting a new audience, accelerating growth, reinvesting into the company, etc.)
Bringing on a new partner who shakes things up
Bringing on the wrong partner