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There’s a proverb of uncertain origin that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Fast is fun for a while. It’s great to cover a lot of ground, but then you get weary and worn. Going far simply can’t be done without people to support you. There’s a place for both. Sometimes you need to pull ahead and move fast. Other times you need a great team to carry you.
A great team combines complementary strengths where members excel in different areas and genuinely respect each other’s contributions. Great teams aren’t just groups of talented individuals—they’re collections of people whose distinct abilities multiply each other’s effectiveness while their weaknesses are covered by teammates’ strengths. This creates collaborative power greater than any individual could achieve alone.
I have come to realize that that my instinct is to tackle projects alone. I love collaboration, but I often doubt that others actually want to play with me. Because of this, the hardest part of chasing a dream for me is to know how to invite people in. I’m trying to start a movement of people who buck the status quo and choose to pursue impact and meaning, but I don’t know how to do that. I easily revert to just doing it myself, but I can only get so far alone.
No one accomplishes great things unless there are others that want them to succeed.
You can do a lot by yourself but you can do the impossible with a great team.
Here’s some of how it works for me (a developing model): I know that I have this deep desire to work with others yet a tendency to go alone, so I work to bring others in as much as possible. I meet once a week with a small group of Masterminders, I meet every couple of weeks with other friends who are constant encouragers, I have a wider circle that I consider advisors who I go to with questions and places of tension. And I have a handful of therapists with whom I talk about my work with my clients. Most importantly, beyond those people, I have you. You’re reading this and you’re striving toward making your meaning in the world, and I know that we’re in this together.
In the comments, what about you? How do you invite people into your dream? Do you tend to go alone (fast) or with others (far)? Click here to comment. As we reflect on our journeys, it’s essential to consider how collaboration can transform our pursuits. In our recent dream year pitch night reflections, many shared inspiring stories of how teamwork not only enriched their visions but also expanded their horizons. Embracing the collective wisdom of those around us can lead to unimaginable growth and success.
What makes a great team?
Great teams combine complementary strengths, mutual respect, and shared purpose. Members excel in different areas, covering each other’s weaknesses while multiplying collective effectiveness. The key is diversity of skills and perspectives united by common goals and genuine appreciation for different contributions.
How do you build a great team?
Start by identifying your own strengths and gaps, then recruit people who excel where you don’t. Look for complementary abilities rather than similar backgrounds. Foster an environment where different perspectives are valued and conflicts become productive rather than destructive.
What is the difference between a good team and a great team?
Good teams have talented people working together. Great teams have people whose distinct strengths multiply each other’s effectiveness—where the whole genuinely exceeds the sum of parts. Great teams leverage differences as assets rather than managing them as problems.
Why is complementary strength important in teams?
Complementary strengths mean your weaknesses are covered by teammates’ strengths and vice versa. This creates robust capability across challenges while allowing each person to operate primarily in their zone of genius rather than struggling with their limitations.
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