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MLM Downline Disputes and Upline Upheavals

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The MLM business sees its share of conflict! I have been on the receiving end of many phone calls from distributors who feel a conflict exists between them and their sponsor or some other distributor in their organization. Why do we see so much conflict in this type of business? The purpose of this article is to offer insight into the reason for these conflicts and to provide suggestions for dealing with them in your organizations.

Grievances

Examples of distributors’ real-life grievances include:

  • ”My upline does not return my calls!”
  • ”My upline is not providing me with any training!”
  • ”My upline is competing with me and will not help me build my downline.
  • “Can I change sponsors?”
  • “A distributor in my downline is very abrasive and upsetting others!”
  • ”My downline expects me to do everything for them!”

Typically, distributors’ initial appeal is for their MLM company to fix the problem by actually changing the structure of the organization to eliminate the so-called “trouble-maker.” In network marketing, this is considered a sponsor change. Most MLM companies discourage any type of sponsor change because they understand that once this type process is allowed, it could potentially require full time employees processing sponsor changes all day long! So you see, the bottom line is that, in most cases, it “ain’t” gonna happen.

It just seems to be the nature of the animal for there to be a fair share of frustration, discontent, and even contention among distributors. MLM companies spend time and money trying to resolve conflicts that continuously arise, while at the same time striving to honor their distributors’ independent status. MLM companies do not control distributors!

Understanding the Nature of the Business

There are some inherent differences between the traditional business world and the MLM world that help explain the source of conflict in network marketing. Understanding these differences is helpful in identifying ways to reduce, or better yet, resolve the conflicts within downlines/uplines.

When individuals seek a traditional job in the business world, they respond to a job description with a specific list of skills and qualifications. Past, related experience is important. Typically, when hired, individuals receive a handbook that defines what is expected of new employees. Company objectives are defined, rules are clearly stated, expectations are outlined. The supervisor conducts an orientation. Now, the new employee knows just what to do and what to expect. Typically on a new job, co-workers are strangers or acquaintances, then as an individual works on team projects, personal relationships begin to develop.

On the other hand, the MLM business diverges from tradition, which is one of its most desirable features for many. To become a distributor, individuals are not required to have skills and qualifications specific to the job. Experience is not a prerequisite. Depending on the company, distributors may or may not have received any formal business training, nor is it required for this type of work. Upon acceptance of their applications, new distributors who come with varying backgrounds and degrees of experience, immediately become their own bosses of their own companies! Generally speaking, they create their own objectives, rules, and expectations, and are continually reminded by their MLM companies of their independent status. Network marketing is a relationship business from the get-go based on recruiting friends and family. This can be a bittersweet marriage as it often brings with it emotional strain and tension resulting from combining personal and business relationships.

With the MLM business model, independent distributors have much greater freedom to strike out on their own and blaze a new trail. They can be their own person in a big way. However, when the sky is the limit, it leaves a lot of room for a myriad of elements not to be clearly defined or developed, or in any case, to be very different from any other distributors’. This combination spells D-I-V-E-R-S-I-T-Y with capital letters in an MLM company’s sales force!

In a relationship business, each distributor comes with talents, knowledge, and expectations different from the next distributor. Scores of independent bosses in the field naturally result in a unique conglomeration with potential for volatile, colorful interaction, and yes–conflict. Strain or estrangement may occur as a result of clashing personalities and values, differences in perceived expectations, misunderstandings, and the list goes on.

Keys to Overcoming Conflict

  • Celebrate Differences

Our reaction to conflict truly determines the outcome and, in the end, our degree of success. There are always two approaches in responding to any conflict–proactive or reactive.

The key is to be proactive and take the high road–celebrate those differences between distributors. Accept that network marketing is a relationship business and requires patience and creativity when dealing with so many different personalities. Recognize the wealth of experience and resources that can be found in a downline. Because of the diversity in experience, one distributor’s perspective of the right way to do something may be very different from the next. That’s okay and can actually be a positive thing! Oftentimes pride gets in the way of allowing this diversity to enhance the experience, so, “Just say no!” to pride.

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.

 

                                                                   -Anonymous

  • Serve to Succeed

As you study those distributors who have reached a level of success that enables them to enjoy financial freedom, you quickly find that they are very much involved in serving those in their downline. They empower, motivate, and have a desire for each of their downline distributors to achieve success. Why wouldn’t they? This not only ensures greater success for them, but also creates a great feeling of satisfaction in helping someone else succeed. They serve to succeed. Serving to succeed is not a one size fits all program. Because of the diverse nature of this business, taking time to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of those in your downline is critical. Those individuals who are most successful focus on the strengths and overlook the weaknesses.

  •        Invest in Their Success

You may have a distributor that you don’t see eye to eye with. Instead of requesting changes be made to your MLM company’s organization so that you can avoid this individual, take the proactive approach and find another distributor within that same leg to work with him/her. Consider his/her needs and create opportunities for him/her to work with someone that would be a better match. Don’t disrupt the organization, don’t just ignore this person, and don’t take it personally–simply find a better fit for him/her. Invest in this individual’s success!

Conclusion

In your battle to handle downline disputes or upline upheavals, choose to be proactive and relentlessly create an atmosphere of success in your MLM organization! Consider and magnify the talents that exist within it. Find those who excel in different areas and allow them to do what they do best. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants them to do, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” Celebrate your distributors’ differences, serve to succeed, and invest in the success of each distributor in your organization, so that you may reap the rewards that so many of the leaders in this industry experience!

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