Character ideas vs group compromise

[Weimann]

So on the one hand, when you go into a game with a group, you will have an idea of how you want to portray and develop your character. On the other, RPGs are collaborative and everyone has to compromise. This might make it so that your character develops in a different direction than expected (not necessarily worse, but different).

Given this, how much preparation do you put into expected personality exploration and intended character development? Does it provide direction to drive your game forward, or does it frustrate you if you never get the opportunity to do the thing?