Sometimes people let you down. A few years ago, a person who I thought was a good friend let me down significantly. After years of what I thought was a good friendship, the person basically backed out of my life. Since then I've identified some signs I missed about the failing friendship, signs, if noticed and responded to, may have created a stronger friendship rather than a lost friendship.
Recently I was let down by a few people who work on a team with me. Essentially they didn't share my vision for process, communication, understanding, or outcome related to our teamwork. What I believe is a good way to deal with the project is not at all what they think. I tried to convince them, understand them, and even make some changes to better team, but nothing has worked. It is very frustrating, but that's the way it is.
I just didn't imagine anyone thinking differently about our project--I simply thought everyone shared my concern, interests, and vision, but the truth is that they think very differently than me. That makes me sad, because the reality to me seems cold and heartless, and it's a lot harder to work with a cold and heartless team than a loving and supportive team.
I overestimated the relationships in this situation, and that's a hard reality to recognize, but recognizing the situation now gives me good information as I plan the path forward. Onward.