Two Can Play That Game. Integrity Always Wins

Let me tell you a little story.

Many years ago, Adrian partnered with Zack in a business. The partnership went well for 2 to 3 years. The business started picking up, and they became profitable. The kickoff of the business and project was almost entirely Adrian’s idea and effort. Later on, most of the execution became Zack’s job, while Adrian monitored high-level progress and made key decisions.

However, after some time, Zack began to feel that Adrian was not putting in the same effort or adding the same value that Zack believed he was (at least in Zack’s assumption). That’s when he turned on the game.

The game was simple: take over the entire business and cut ties with Adrian.

Adrian sensed the bad intentions almost immediately. Out of goodwill, he offered support wherever needed. Zack kept refusing, isolating Adrian from updates and progress, grouping with others who had an interest in helping him decouple from Adrian. Along the way, Zack have caused enough harm, layoffs, false promises, and progress that looked good on the surface but was empty underneath.

Adrian gave it more time. After all, business and ethics always comes first, and you don’t throw years of partnership in the trash over a few months of tension. But Zack didn’t seem to learn. He took Adrian for granted, thinking he was too soft or too naïve to notice what was happening.

That was the moment Adrian decided to join Zack’s game, and he played it really well.

First, Adrian had already secured himself with a very strong contract. Then he began getting involved in the business weekly. Zack started stumbling, unsure of what was coming next. Adrian brought insight, traction, light, and stability back into the business.

Zack, however, was still determined to decouple.

Adrian didn’t mind, as long as his rights were respected. So he hinted at a deal: $60,000, and he would cut loose peacefully.

Zack, believing he was smarter, and with the encouragement of his supporter, he attempted to decouple in what they thought was a clever way… without paying Adrian.

Adrian was ready. He made a tough move. Very tough. Unexpected.

Zack and his supporter immediately straightened up and continued business properly for a short while. After some time, they couldnt find a legal and ethical way out except to paid the $60,000, and Adrian agreed to decouple peacefully.

But upon exit, Adrian told Zack something deep:

“Zack, all along you felt I didn’t put in enough effort, despite the fact that this business was my idea, my presence, my connections, my decisions, and most importantly, my ethics that kept it standing. Now I tell you this, without me, you won’t last more than 3 to 6 months.”

And that was the end.

Four months later, believing his presence alone was enough, Zack failed miserably. The company declined severely until it was eventually bought out by someone else.

Moral of the story:

1. Play snake games, win disappointing prizes.

2. Just because people tell you that you are “all that” doesn’t mean you are, especially if deep down you know you’re not.

3. When things get real, warm hearts turn cold, even the nicest ones.

Disclaimer: This is a fictional story. Any resemblance to real persons or events is purely coincidental.