Wow, Hollis, that's a great question! But I think the scary truth is found in your insightful use of the term "dating." I'm not aware of any reliable system for picking or predicting successful outcomes in dating. ;-P

Look at the generally dismal record of companies using interviewing and other methods for hiring employees.

On the other hand, one of the books I've recently read is Collaborative Intelligence: Thinking with People Who Think Differently, and I think it provides a solid approach for working with the team you've got. I also think some of the ideas Dr. Bridbord shared with you in her Mega Reinvention session for couples to build a supportive, trusting relationship can be applied by business partners, to improve their chances of long-term success.

Of course, I come at the business partner thing from the luxury of working with Yvonne, starting and growing a series of businesses together, with and without additional partners. As you know, I like to call us PIATs, "partners-is-all-things." I do think it's going to become our sub-specialty in the whole reinvention area: how spouses and life-partners can find, plan, launch, and grow their ideal life work together -- happily! ;-D

Sorry for not having a magic formula!