Lesson #6: Opposites Don't Always Lead to Conflict

In every personality assessment Rob and I have ever taken, our results are opposites. We tend to approach problems differently and bring different perspectives to a conversation or situation. We come from different generations; we have experienced the world differently, from how we were raised to the dynamics of our previous workplaces. Account | Creative. Man | Woman. Different life stages. Opposites in so many ways.

But for all this time, we’ve had one big thing in common: our commitment to building a successful business, an agency where we both want to work. And having that same goal has led to one of Rocket Camp’s greatest strengths—embracing our differences.

I want to point out that I said the same goal, not the same vision for how it might come to be, or evolve over time. It’s an important distinction, and one that is likely attributable to countless partner fallouts and team fractures. Having the same vision is nearly impossible, but having the same goal gives us each the latitude to think about how to get there differently.

Having the freedom to think about something in the vacuum of your own thoughts can be a very stimulating exercise. All the “what ifs” and “how abouts” and “in a perfect worlds” can readily bubble to the surface, genuine and uncensored, until…you’ve got it. Problem solved! And that is precisely when it’s most valuable to have an Aligned Opposite (someone with the same goal but who thinks and approaches things differently than you) to gut check you.

Saying all that great vacuum thinking out loud to an Aligned Opposite is a really effective way to determine what it is you really care about vs. what you are willing to let go or compromise on, which often leads to an even better solution. The key to a conflict-free gut check is in your alignment; remembering that your vision must be both mindful of and in service of the shared common goal. But if it’s not, don’t worry—your Aligned Opposite will be the first to point that out, along with anything else that may be hiding in one of your blind spots. It’s not always comfortable, but it is always respectful, direct, and collaborative.

What began as a way to ensure our survival in a partnership of contrasts has become a blueprint for how Rocket Camp works—with each other, with our team, and with our clients. We’ve learned that success doesn’t require sameness; it requires shared purpose, mutual respect, and the willingness to let a little friction sharpen the outcome.

This post is part of a series commemorating our decade-long entrepreneurial journey: Top 10 Lessons from 10 Years in Business. Check back frequently for more posts; we'll be finished with the full list by our 11th anniversary!