The Problem With Teamwork

Geoff Smith Portrait

BY Geoff Smith

POSTED ON OCTOBER 10, 2012

Am I the only person who has mixed emotions about the overpowering conventional wisdom that a person must be a ‘team player’ in order to be considered

I hear it everywhere, certainly including at EllisDon. My son recently got a job in a very tough market at least in part because he was a lacrosse team captain

I’m biased, no doubt: I always preferred tennis, snow and water skiing and running. I’m not some anti social loner, I’m pretty competitive, I think I’m pretty

And I recognize that if you can put together a team of great performers with complementary strengths, where everyone respects the other and contributes

But this ‘teamwork’ and ‘being a team player’ mantra, especially when it comes to decision making, can be very dangerous. And when it comes to individual

‘Teamwork’, too often, means compromise, going along to get along, holding back your thoughts when everyone else is going in the same (wrong) direction.

Business consultants forever tell me that ‘change’ cannot be successful in a company unless it is widely supported throughout the ranks. That has not once

I’d rather hang out and debate with ten smart people who strongly and obnoxiously disagree with me (and with each other) than a group of consensus

All in favour, say aye together. OK, never mind.

Thanks for reading.