You Do Not Have to Like Every Part of Someone to Work Well With Them

You Do Not Have to Like Every Part of Someone to Work Well With Them explores how expecting workplace relationships to meet all of our relational needs often leads to unnecessary disappointment. This post looks at why a single failure in follow-through, communication, or discretion can cause us to rewrite an entire relationship, and introduces cognitive complexity as a tool for holding space for both strengths and limitations. It offers practical guidance on treating disappointment as data, setting clear boundaries around harmful behavior, and shifting from asking "Why can't they be what I need?" to "Who have they shown me they are?" so you can navigate work relationships with greater clarity, discernment, and peace of mind.