Usually, before a couple marries, they engage in hundreds of intimate, layered conversations, in an effort to establish realistic expectations and build a foundation for a successful marriage.
The same principle can and should apply in the context of a business partnership. As with any partner, in business or otherwise, at the outset of each relationship is a set of clearly defined goals. Also, and very often unexpectedly, misunderstandings occur and can lead to a painful breakdown in communication, which often leads to resentment and, at times, permanent separation.