The Third Seat at the Table

You’re delivering a project for a customer. You’re working with a partner. And things get bumpy.

You don’t always agree with their approach. They don’t always understand your product. Frustrations build.

And then it happens.
The tension shows. In meetings. In emails. Sometimes, even in front of the customer.

You think You’re being subtle.
You’re not.

When you vent about the partner, or quietly disengage, or let the friction become theatre. What you’re really doing is asking the customer to choose sides.

And you shouldn’t.

The customer didn’t sign up for that. They signed up for joined-up delivery.
A team. Even if you have different logos.

Here’s what I’m starting to believe:

In every three-way delivery, there’s a third seat at the table: the relationship itself. And someone has to take responsibility for its health.
If you don’t, no one will. And the customer pays the price.

Don’t wait for someone else to fix the dynamic. Let’s lead it.
Address tension directly. Build the bridge. Set the tone.

Not because you like the partner more. But because you care about the outcome.

And great delivery is a team sport, even when the jerseys don’t match.