6. Personal reflection:

1. The hardest decision was letting go of our UX/UI Lead. It was necessary, but I still think there was another way I did not see at the time. The version of me today would look past the ultimatum to understand what was underneath it, the fears or concerns he left unspoken, and find a way to move him to a different engagement rather than let him go entirely.

2. The ethical complexity I carry from this project is harder to name. One of the testimonials that helped us win the bid had been written, by coincidence, by someone who was in a senior leadership role at the main competitor. I held a clear line throughout, and looking back, that is the part I am most proud of. I was fully committed to Muaban, and there was nothing from that working relationship to share and no reason to cross that line.

3. Resilience has to be built before you need it, and for me that has always come from training, which nurtures one of the most powerful feelings: curiosity. Curiosity makes people want to grow, push themselves, and stay close to the people growing alongside them. The freelance bench held for the same reason. They had trained with me before, so they knew how we work and could step in when we needed them.