What traits do you look for in a co-founder, and how do you find alignment?

When I started looking for a cofounder for my side project, l realized that finding someone with complementary skills was just the first step. What ultimately mattered was aligning our vision and values. For example, during the early stages, I met several potential partners with excellent tech skills, but I noticed we had different ideas about growth pace and long-term goals. To find a good match, I focused more on having open and candid conversations, even when they were difficult. Have you experienced a similar situation?