Individualism seems to be a holy word in our culture that is driven in large part by the tenets of liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Values manifest as behaviors. And at times, these principles may lead inexorably to selfishness, the excessive concern with self-interest without regard for the greater good and well-being of others. Would pig-headed individualism, prioritizing the self over the group, cause our moral downfall?
In the context of the modern workplace, “Me” first can lead to a high level of productivity. A hyper focus on personal excellence, the drive to work hard and deliver higher levels of performance, is a key employability skill. A healthy dose of ambition to pursue and achieve career goals is a common denominator of successful leaders. We all want to be recognized for our particular interests, talents, and skills. When we are seen as individuals and are entrusted with the freedom to manage our work, we can perform to the best of our ability. Ownership drives engagement. It taps into our deepest personal motivation to become the most that we can be and to perform to the best of our ability. Yet, autonomy doesn’t grant us the right to do what we want whenever we feel like it. Career success comes not from short-term self-interest, but rather working diligently for the benefit of our own long-term prosperity as well as for contributing to the collective performance and the achievement of common goals.
Professional maturity and growth involve the mental shift from “me” to “we.” To achieve career success, the seemingly opposing values of individualism and teamwork must be brought together and combined to produce harmony in the work environment. The bonds we weave have multiple benefits at a personal level and for the companies we serve. Collaboration isn’t just a soft skill, it’s crucial power. Being a good team player means contributing to the success of the whole team, serving a common purpose, and maintaining team unity. Individuality is an important trait for collaboration because it is the personal capacities that help a community grow. Teamwork requires highly developed interpersonal and communication skills. It also asks each team member to go beyond the job description to look at the big picture. It is the duality of human nature: to truly reach self-actualism, we need the support of others and the perspective gained from alternate viewpoints. Fewer things will get done without individuals pulling together. We build upon the work of others to achieve both team and individual goals.
Everything in life is about balance. Teamwork is neither individualism nor conformity. It’s about a group of individuals being collaborative team players. Collaboration is the synergy between the individual and the group. The truth is that even the most collaborative people can be intrinsically self-reliant and ambitious. The two are not mutually exclusive. We can aspire to be the truest version of ourselves and desire individual distinction and recognition while being gracious and collaborative team members. Our responsibility is to define our own purpose, goals, and measures for success. We have to be accountable for delivering on our potential as well as on our commitments to our work teams and the organizations we serve. The workplace is an adult sandbox. Poor performance is often rooted in a lack of collaboration. This is also true on a societal level. Solving big problems requires collaboration, finding the common ground and working together for the common good.
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