Choosing Wisely

The practical lesson from decades of research is clear: choose similarity in values and difference in strengths. A partner who shares your core beliefs but tackles problems differently makes a team stronger than either of you alone.

Don't confuse excitement with compatibility. Excitement signals novelty, which fades. Comfort signals compatibility, which deepens. Still, not everyone similar to you is a good match — pair clear-eyed assessment with openness to genuine difference.