Are we a world of individuals who don't understand teams?

The USA lost to Europe in the Ryder Cup this weekend. According to the news here in the states between this and the loss in World Basketball competition we have too much focus in the US on individual success over team success and this is hurting the U.S. in international sports. This has even been observed in the UK press. (By the way, congratulations European team, well done)

Why do I bring this up? Especially when you consider I don't watch golf (I enjoy golf but my game is one that makes other's feel better about their game) and I have an actual spoken distaste for basketball. (They just mess up my ice no matter how amusing Cuban is.) It's not because of a sudden care about international sports. It's because I thought it brought up some interesting points about teams and teaming.

As a race of humans we have not always been about the individual. Michael Gelb (yes, another mind mapping guy) point out in an article he wrote for Create Magazine that "Prior to the Renaissance, the notion of individuality didn’t exist, because the concept of individuality, as we now understand it, didn’t exist. Paintings, for example, remained unsigned, and painters, anonymous, because the individual was considered unimportant. All creative power was vested Above."

We all have a desire to do our own thing. Be our own person. Contribute on our own merits. Make our will known and get the recognition we deserve. etc. etc. etc. I don't think that in and of themselves these are bad things. They are probably good things. But teamwork is also something that is critically important.

Teamwork is the process of taking a group of individuals and making them capable of more than they would be capable of by themselves. Some of the most valuable individuals in any group are the ones who make that synergistic bonding possible. On sports teams these are the leaders of the team, the ones who inspire everyone when things are going poorly. In business they are the people who others watch and take lead from. The positive (and sadly sometimes negative) influence that raise everyone's mood, performance and vision.

It takes a bit of self-sacrifice to put the team ahead of the individual. This stems from recognition and a desire to personally excel. In an authoritative "Boss, Rules, Controls" culture individuals are actually disincented to promote the team. That is why we all need to encourage and "be the change we wish to see" (Mahatma Gandhi) when it comes to teamwork.

Do you know someone who helps other people around them become their best selves? Talk to them today. Say Thanks.