Which is actually better, a great individual or a great team? On the one hand, we revere outstanding individuals: the quarterback, the actress, the rock star, the CEO. Yet, we are taught the value of teamwork. You can’t open a business magazine without getting advice on team building, yet the cover inevitably displays the latest hotshot CEO. So, what gives?
There is no doubt that teams are better for certain tasks. Take fast food, for example. For ten people to build 1,000 veggie burgers, we know it’s best to create an assembly line where each person completes a specific task for each burger. Simple tasks where everyone is qualified to do the job tend to be best completed by teams.
