I thought I was “managing” my supplier, actually no. Another realization shift

After receiving my first prototype, I thought and learned a lot. The first realization shift I got is about the purpose of each stage. Now I got the second is about the supplier management.

I thought I was in control of the process when I was asking questions and reviewing samples. But it really wasn't. I assumed that if something wasn't clearly pointed out and discussed, it would stay as designed. But what actually happens is the opposite. The decisions still get made, just not by me.

I mentioned that a few small details were adjusted without telling me anything. This makes me re-think everything.

Is it supplier's mistake? I don't think it's really a mistake on their side. The gap was on my side. I wasn't being clear enough about what needed to stay exactly as designed and what could be more flexible.

I think I went into it with this idea that " communication" just meant staying updated. Now it feels more like communication is actually how you maintain control over decisions. If something isn't explicitly discussed, it's not neutral, it's already decided. That shift perspective changed how I am approaching the next steps.

Thanks a lot for entrepreneur here to help me learning more at this stage.