On an important project, I needed to work with a senior engineer known for being difficult to collaborate with. He often rejected others' ideas and rarely participated in team discussions. Several people had already requested to leave the project because of this.

I needed to find an effective way to collaborate with him and ensure the project could proceed smoothly.

I first tried to understand his work style and preferences. I discovered he preferred one-on-one technical discussions rather than large meetings. So I changed my strategy, often proactively seeking him out for technical discussions, carefully listening to his opinions, and supporting my views with data and logic. When we had disagreements, I would propose doing A/B tests or technical POCs to validate. I also proactively helped him with documentation work he wasn't good at, reducing his burden.

After a month of effort, we established a good working relationship. He began participating more in team discussions and was willing to share his experience. The project was ultimately delivered on time with high quality. He later publicly praised my collaborative spirit at a team meeting, which made me realize that understanding and respect are the foundation for building good relationships.