In the realm of collaboration, the landscape is fraught with complexities and potential pitfalls. The idealistic notion that all parties in a collaborative effort have mutual interests at heart often falls short of reality. Many collaborators are primarily driven by self-interest, keen on observing and absorbing your strategies, only to leverage this knowledge for their own benefit. This dynamic creates a competitive environment where your expertise is a commodity to be mined rather than a shared asset in a mutually beneficial relationship.