How is 'WITHOUT' a contrast word?

GRE Verbal Problem Solving
1

In the below sentence, I see both ideas (1 - without his guidance, 2 - team felt lost) as bad/negative. Thus, the word without looks to be a support word to me and not a contrast word - can you please help me understand where I might be going wrong with my understanding?

Without his guidance, the team felt lost.

2

You’re including the “without” in the idea though.

You can do it two ways:

without his guidance [, (=) ] the team felt lost. → where the “,” is a SUPPORT

his guidance [without (-)] the team felt lost → where the “without” creates a CONTRAST

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