If I were in your shoes, I would not think my relationship is "great" because there seems to be a very basic lack of honesty and honesty is the foundation of a good relationship.
Everything the author describes can still be accomplished by being diplomatic and understanding without being confrontational and direct. Plus, you build a better, more resilient team that way.
I'm not really sure the author learnt what he thought he learnt.
'Merit' is perhaps not the defining factor, rather 'money'. Or have you guys forgotten what 'Ivy league' actually means in the confusion.