Have you ever mediated a creative disagreement between team members? How did you help them reach a resolution?

Situation

During a rebranding project for a fintech startup at my previous agency, our senior graphic designer and the copywriter clashed over the visual direction of the new website. The designer wanted a bold, illustration-heavy layout, while the copywriter argued for a clean, text-focused design to communicate trust. The disagreement was delaying the project and causing tension in the small team.

Task

I needed to facilitate a resolution that respected both creative perspectives, aligned with the client's brand strategy, and kept the project on schedule.

Action

I set up a structured brainstorming session with just the two of them and myself. We used a whiteboard to list the client's core needs: 'convey security,' 'be approachable,' 'stand out from competitors.' I asked each person to sketch their ideal homepage concept and then we took turns listing pros and cons from the client's viewpoint. I guided them to find a hybrid solution: using illustrations for hero sections to stand out, but with ample white space and clear typography for body content. I then asked them to prototype one page together by end of day.

Result

The hybrid concept was approved by the client without revisions, and the project launched two weeks early. Both team members later told me they felt heard and were actually proud of the compromise. The collaboration also visibly improved their working relationship afterward.