Amazing. I've just been through a harrowing financial 3-year project involving 2 very demanding partners and one opposite party who, in essence, tried to drive a wedge into every decision we had to make.

My internal voice, having been a design leader for some years, told me to back up my partners (the demanding ones), and to steer the project into positive territory. There were so many dynamics at play that I often thought about giving up.

But like you state, my most important decision was to back up my partners and work with them productively.

This strategy worked for us in the end, and we were able to find a compromise with the help of a legal mediator.

I'm so glad that my partners and I were able to pull this off together. In the end, it really strengthened our relationship, we got to know each other so well, and we developed trust in each other.

Thank you for sharing this insightful article. While my experience is not related to a tech-based team, your words still ring true.