Consider some of the great partnerships: Rodgers and Hammerstein. Key and Peele. Outkast. TLC.
When you work with someone who truly respects and values what you bring, the end result is going to be something better than what it could possibly be if you acted separately. Put simply: 1 + 1 winds up being FAR greater than 2. That is what synergy is. You both are able to allocate your energy and resources accordingly to the task and what you create just becomes that much better.
When you work with someone who does not respect your contributions and is in fact jockeying for position against you, then you may as well cut the strings and be done with it. That person is out for him/herself and may very well be looking to take you out. The longer it goes on, the more it will affect the dynamic of your team and what you can ultimately do. And yes, it may even poison your relationship with your coworkers.
Don’t set yourself up to become everyone’s doormat. Nip it in the bud early and every time. Don’t let anyone – even your pastors – force someone on you who has proven time and time again to be a problem.
Of course, this is provided that person isn’t being eyed to be your replacement…
