• In general, I agree with what you're saying, Andy. The ability to mesh with others in your team is an important part of working as part of a team, and is therefore hugely valuable.

    However, let's not forget that there are times when the best person to achieve what the business needs is someone who is definitely not easy to work with. Sometimes it takes someone who plays Devil's Advocate, who challenges, who dictates, who is single-minded, whose convictions are unshakeable. Quite a few of the most effective leaders in history have been exasperating to those working most closely with them.

    I mention this not as a mandate to ignore how you affect the rest of your team, but simply to remember that a cohesive and closely-knit team doesn't guarantee it'll be a productive team.

    Semper in excretia, suus solum profundum variat