What to Do If a Friend Isn’t Pulling Their Weight in the Business: 14 Tips to Get Things Back on Track

Running a business with a friend? That’s the dream, right? You trust each other, you’re on the same page, and you have a blast at work.

But, what happens when your friend isn’t pulling their weight in the business? That’s where things can get a little…messy. It’s like trying to catch a balloon drifting away — you see it slipping, but reaching it feels just out of grasp. And worse, you’re not sure how to bring it up without things getting awkward.

In fact, it’s already awkward. But you can either let it ruin the business and the friendship, or you can face it head-on. Guess which option leads to fewer passive-aggressive texts?

Let’s dive into what to do when your friend is slacking off in the business — and how you can handle this situation like an adult (while secretly wanting to throw your laptop at them).

Why You Need to Call Out Your Slacking Friend Business Partner

Why is it even necessary to address your friend’s lack of effort? Can’t you just pick up the slack and hope they come around? Uh… no. If one of you is coasting while the other’s grinding 24/7, resentment is going to build faster than a stack of overdue invoices.

There’s a specific term for what you’re feeling: “Being used.”

The reality is, if you don’t address this, your business will suffer, and your friendship could take a nosedive into the depths of awkward “Hey, sorry I can’t make it” excuses. Trust me, this is the kind of stuff that breaks both businesses and bonds.

And let’s not forget the bottom line here. Running a business isn’t simply about feelings — it’s getting things done. If your friend isn’t pulling their weight, tasks go unfinished, opportunities are missed, and pretty soon, the company’s circling the drain while you’re stuck wondering how it all went wrong.

Now that we’ve had this lovely pep talk, let’s get into the how of dealing with this situation.

What to Do If a Friend Isn’t Pulling Their Weight in the Business

Alright, deep breath. Here’s the game plan.

1. Have the Talk (The One You’ve Been Avoiding)

Yep, you’re going to have to bite the bullet and talk to your friend. I know, I know. Confrontation is uncomfortable, and it’s tempting to let things slide. But avoiding it won’t make the issue disappear — in fact, it’ll just keep growing like that pile of unwashed dishes in your sink.

So, how do you bring it up without turning it into a “you’re lazy, I hate you” conversation? First, focus on the business, not the friendship. Frame it like this: “Hey, we’ve got to talk about some things in the business that aren’t working, and I think it’s affecting our success.”

By keeping it business-focused, it doesn’t feel like a personal attack.

• Schedule a private, distraction-free meeting to discuss the issue calmly and professionally.
• Start by acknowledging the friendship and then shift into the business challenges at hand.
• Focus on specific behaviors, not character flaws, to avoid making the conversation personal.
• Listen more than you talk; this conversation is about finding a solution, not placing blame.

2. Lay Out Specific Examples of What’s Going Wrong

Once you’ve opened the door to the conversation, be specific. Vague complaints like “you’re not doing enough” aren’t helpful. You need to point out actual instances where they’ve dropped the ball. Missed deadlines, incomplete tasks, poor follow-through — bring receipts.

For example: “Remember when we had that marketing meeting, and you said you’d follow up with the leads? It’s been two weeks, and I haven’t seen any movement on that.”

This way, you’re not plainly venting frustrations — you’re showing concrete examples that need to be addressed.

• Prepare concrete examples of missed deadlines, incomplete tasks, or poor performance.
• Use data or reports to back up your claims, avoiding vague accusations.
• Be factual and avoid emotional language — this is about business, not feelings.
• Make sure you explain how their behavior is impacting the business as a whole.

3. Get Their Side of the Story

Now comes the fun part. After you’ve aired your grievances, give your friend a chance to explain themselves. Maybe they’re dealing with personal issues, or they’re overwhelmed and don’t know how to tell you.

Or maybe they don’t even realize they’ve been slacking.

Sometimes people are blissfully unaware that they’ve been phoning it in. Instead of assuming they’re lazy, approach it with curiosity: “Hey, what’s been going on with you lately? It seems like you’ve been a little checked out.”

This invites a dialogue rather than a blame game.

• Ask open-ended questions like, “Is there something going on that’s affecting your performance?”
• Let them share their perspective without interrupting, even if you disagree.
• Validate their feelings or concerns to show you’re listening, even if you think they’re wrong.
• Stay neutral — this isn’t about proving them wrong; it’s understanding the full picture.

4. Set Clear Expectations (Because Mind Reading is Not a Skill We Possess)

You’d think people would just know what’s expected of them, especially in a business partnership. They don’t. If you’ve never sat down and outlined who’s responsible for what, your friend might genuinely have no idea they’re falling short.

Set clear, measurable expectations moving forward. “I need you to handle the client calls every week by Thursday, and keep me updated on progress.”

Simple, actionable, and impossible to misunderstand. This way, you’ve given them a roadmap instead of vague hopes.

• Outline specific tasks, deadlines, and deliverables in writing to avoid future confusion.
• Set measurable goals with clear timelines so both parties know what success looks like.
• Define who’s responsible for what, leaving no room for ambiguity.
• Regularly check in to ensure both of you are aligned and to adjust expectations as needed.

5. Offer Support, But Don’t Be Their Babysitter

Sometimes your friend just needs a little push. Maybe they’re struggling with time management or organization. If that’s the case, offer support, but don’t fall into the trap of doing their work for them.

You could say, “I’m happy to help you get organized — do you want to schedule weekly check-ins?” This shows that you’re invested in their success but makes it clear that they still have to do the work.

• Provide resources or tools they might need to improve performance, like training or software.
• Encourage them to ask questions if they’re unsure, but don’t micromanage every detail.
• Set boundaries on how much you can help; they need to pull their own weight too.
• Empower them to take ownership of their responsibilities by offering guidance, not solutions.

6. Set Consequences, Not Ultimatums

Okay, so you’ve laid out the expectations, you’ve had “the talk,” and maybe things got a little tense. Now what? It’s time to introduce some consequences. And no, I’m not talking about threats or those “we need to talk” ultimatums that make everyone want to flee the room.

I mean reasonable, business-related consequences that happen if deadlines aren’t met or tasks aren’t completed. Think of it as an accountability safety net.

Here’s an example: “If we don’t see results in the next month, we’ll need to rethink your role.”

Consequences make it clear that their lack of effort has real implications without turning the conversation into a drama-filled ultimatum.

• Define specific consequences for missed deadlines or unfulfilled responsibilities.
• Make the consequences proportional to the severity of the issue, without making threats.
• Set a timeline for improvement, outlining what will happen if things don’t change.
• Ensure the consequences are enforceable — don’t set rules you won’t follow through on.

7. Split Responsibilities Based on Strengths

One reason your friend might be slacking is that they’re stuck doing things they aren’t great at. Not everyone’s a natural-born salesman or a social media whiz, so if they’re drowning in tasks they hate (or suck at), it’s no wonder they’re not performing.

It’s time to play to each other’s strengths. Reevaluate who’s doing what.

If they’re better at the creative stuff, let them handle that. If you’re more organized, take charge of operations. Sometimes, it’s not that they’re lazy — they’re just doing the wrong stuff.

• Reassess your current roles and identify tasks that align with each person’s strengths.
• Delegate responsibilities based on natural skills, not just job titles or assumptions.
• Be open to adjusting the division of labor if one area is causing frustration or burnout.
• Recognize that working in areas where they excel might increase motivation and performance.

8. Consider Bringing in a Third Party (AKA: The Neutral Referee)

You know how every relationship book ever says to bring in a mediator? Well, it turns out business relationships sometimes need that, too.

If things are getting heated or if you’ve hit a wall, it might be time to bring in a third party to help iron out the kinks. This could be a business coach, mentor, or even a mutual friend with some perspective.

Having an outsider gives you both a chance to step back and reassess without jumping down each other’s throats. Plus, there’s something about a neutral third party that makes people stop BS-ing and start owning their mistakes.

• Reach out to a trusted mentor, advisor, or business coach who can provide objective insight.
• Choose someone who can mediate without bias, ensuring both sides feel heard.
• Use the third party to help establish clear action points and mediate any heated discussions.
• Be open to their feedback, even if it’s uncomfortable or challenges your perspective.

9. Track Progress Publicly

If your friend is one of those people who needs a little public accountability, this one’s for them. Start tracking business progress in a place where both of you can see it — a shared spreadsheet, project management software, whatever works. Make tasks and deadlines transparent.

When they can see that glaring red mark next to the task they didn’t complete, it might just light a fire under them. Nothing like a little social pressure to keep things moving.

• Use shared project management tools like Trello, Asana, or a Google spreadsheet to track tasks.
• Make deadlines and deliverables visible to both of you, creating accountability.
• Set up weekly or bi-weekly progress meetings to review tasks and discuss any roadblocks.
• Use data to highlight areas of improvement or to address ongoing issues.

10. Check Your Own Attitude

Are you sure they’re the only one slacking? Be honest with yourself. Maybe you’re working hard, but are you communicating clearly? Are you making assumptions about what your friend should know or be doing without actually telling them?

Check your own attitude and see if you’ve been contributing to the problem.

If you’ve been a little short with them or haven’t properly explained your frustrations, it might be time for some self-reflection before you drop all the blame on them.

• Reflect on your own behavior to see if you’ve been contributing to the problem.
• Ask yourself if you’ve been communicating clearly or if there’s been any passive-aggressiveness.
• Be honest about whether you’ve been taking on too much responsibility without delegating.
• If necessary, apologize for your role in the problem — leadership means owning your mistakes too.

11. Create Deadlines, Not Suggestions

There’s a difference between saying, “Can you handle that when you get the chance?” and “This needs to be done by Friday at 5 p.m.” If you’re being vague about timelines, you’re essentially giving your friend a free pass to do the work whenever they feel like it — which, let’s be honest, might be never.

Set clear deadlines. Put them in writing. Hold them accountable when the deadlines aren’t met. It’s not micromanaging — it’s ensuring things actually get done.

12. Rework the Partnership Agreement

Remember when you started this whole business and you probably jotted down a partnership agreement over some cold ones during that night out? Yeah, that’s cute, but it’s time to get serious.

If you’ve reached a point where nothing’s changing, and your friend is still leaving you to do the heavy lifting, it’s time to whip out the legal documents.

Update the partnership agreement. Include clauses about workloads, responsibilities, and even exit strategies. It’s a way of putting everything on paper so there’s no more “Oh, I thought you were handling that!” down the line.

• Review the original agreement to ensure it still reflects the current state of your business.
• Update responsibilities, compensation, and decision-making processes to better fit your roles.
• Include clauses for dispute resolution and exit strategies to prepare for future conflicts.
• Have a lawyer review the updated agreement to ensure it’s legally sound and fair to both parties.

13. Give Them a Grace Period (and Then Pull the Plug)

Look, everyone deserves a second chance. If your friend’s not pulling their weight but is willing to improve, give them a grace period to get their act together. This could be a month or two where you track progress and see if they step up.

But if after that period nothing changes? Time to pull the plug. This is a business, after all. You can’t keep shouldering the burden forever just because they’re your friend.

You don’t have to be cruel about it, but you do need to be firm. At some point, you’ve got to make the tough call.

• Set a specific time frame for improvement — a month, a quarter, whatever feels appropriate.
• Clearly communicate what needs to change within that grace period.
• Use the grace period as a time for constructive feedback and support, not endless chances.
• If nothing changes by the end of the grace period, be prepared to make the tough decision to end the partnership.

14. Have a Heart-to-Heart About the Future

Maybe your friend doesn’t want to be in the business anymore. Maybe they’ve checked out because their heart’s just not in it. You need to have an honest heart-to-heart conversation about the future. Is this business something they’re passionate about, or are they hanging on out of obligation?

Let them know it’s okay to walk away if they’re no longer feeling it. It’s better to part on good terms now than to drag things out and end up resenting each other.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for both the business and your friendship is to admit when it’s time to move on.

• Ask them if they’re still passionate about the business or if their priorities have changed.
• Be vulnerable and share your own concerns about the partnership without being accusatory.
• Offer them a way out that preserves your friendship if they no longer want to be involved.
• Be prepared for the conversation to be emotional — but remember, it’s about long-term success, not just this moment.

Conclusion

Running a business with a friend isn’t always going to be the smooth, dreamlike experience you thought it would be. People change, priorities shift, and sometimes, even the best of friends can struggle when it comes to business.

But just because things aren’t perfect doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel — at least, not right away.

By following these steps on what to do if a friend isn’t pulling their weight in the business, you’ll give your friend every opportunity to step up and pull their weight. But if after all this effort they’re still dragging their feet? It might be time to make the tough decision to part ways, for the sake of both your business and your friendship.

Business partnerships aren’t forever, but with the right approach, friendships can be — even if you decide to go your separate ways in the professional world.

After all, wouldn’t it be better to grab a bite as friends without arguing about missed deadlines? Just saying.