We all face this choice at regular intervals. Sometimes it seems easier and quicker to do something on your own, right? Yes.
But think about it. Speed is not necessarily the most important thing. Do we need to be that much in a rush?
How about distance? How about going the distance instead?
How about breaking new grounds, coming up with new ideas, being challenged and surprised? Surprised by what others know and can do. Surprised by the energy and excitement that comes from collaboration. Surprised and rewarded by the new solutions that are created when people come together, sharing openly and generously. Surprised by the support that others can give.
How about long-term, sustainable success, rather than just short-term results?
If you want any of these things, then consider TEAM. Team is the answer. Teamwork is the answer.
Go fast alone or far together?
We are sometimes asked this question, often because there is a concern that if people get on “too well”, it can take on too much of a relaxed (non-productive) atmosphere. Our answer to that is NO – although we do understand the concern, but excellent teamwork is based on a common mission, not just “getting on well”.
It is very much like the “three musketeers” at work (although in the brilliant book by Alexandre Dumas they were of course four which goes to show that all teams have room for at least one more person!) It’s “All for one and one for all”.
And this can happen when people really work together, not just work together in a “surface” way.
Great teamwork have people knowing that they’re all in it together, they jointly own the outcome, they have each others’ backs, they carry each others’ loads, they win or fall together. When this level of teamwork is achieved in a team, team magic happens – and the results get delivered time and time again.
