You’re not the hero.
You might be smart, talented, even the best in the room. But if you’re not working as part of a team, you’re a risk. To the project, to the people around you, and eventually to yourself.
No matter how good you are, complexity wins. And complexity needs a team.
Individual Brilliance Doesn’t Scale
You can solve a crisis once. Land a client. Fix a failing system. But sustained success needs coordination. People covering blind spots, sharing context, catching what others miss.
When you try to do everything yourself, you create bottlenecks. When you carry the load alone, you burn out. When you act like you’re above the team, you erode trust. Even when you’re right.
What Good Teams Actually Do
They don’t just divide the work. They absorb complexity together. Share what they’re seeing. Ask what others need. Cover for someone when they’re struggling. Flag things early.
Good teams make space for everyone’s strengths. They communicate constantly. They recover fast. And when they work, they create something no individual can: momentum.
You Don’t Need Permission
You don’t need to manage people to work as a team. Just act like one.
Show up with context. “Here’s what I learned from the client that might affect your work.” Offer help before being asked. “I can handle the vendor calls if that helps.” Connect people who should know each other.
It’s not about being nice. It’s about being effective.
Even in Broken Systems
Stuck in a dysfunctional team? Still bring the energy. Model the behavior. Find your crew wherever they are.
Some people will get it. Work with them. Build those relationships. Create the collaboration you want to see, even if it’s just with two or three others.
What People Remember
High-functioning teams outperform heroic individuals every time. Not because individual talent doesn’t matter, but because real work is too complex for any one person.
Leaders notice who makes others more effective. Who reduces friction instead of creating it. Who can be trusted when things get complicated.
People don’t just remember what you achieved. They remember whether you made their work easier or harder. Whether you built something that lasted or just performed for a while and left.
The Bottom Line
Always work as a team. Not because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s how real work gets done.
You’re not diminishing yourself by elevating others. You’re multiplying your impact.
That’s not weakness. That’s how you win.