From Competition to Collaboration: Crafting a Symphony of Success

Sit tight, here comes the story:

Lila has always been passionate about teamwork. She believes that success lies in collaboration, not competition. To illustrate this to her team, she decided to conduct a simple yet powerful exercise during their next team-building session.

She brought a story and divided it into several smaller sections. She then split her team into small groups and handed each group a piece of paper with part of the story. The instructions were simple: complete your story (give it a beginning and an end) as quickly as possible, and decide how you want to present it - whether by performing it, reciting it, reading it, whatever they chose. What she didn’t tell them was that the real goal was for the entire team to come together to complete the full story. The story pieces were interdependent and designed to be a single narrative.

The moment Lila said "go," the room buzzed with activity. The groups dove into their tasks with intensity, racing to see who could finish first. Each team worked within their group, focusing on completing their section as quickly as possible, while exercising creativity and determined to outdo the others. The spirit of competition took over, and soon there were murmurs of rivalry, with each group eyeing the progress of the others.

As the first group finished their section, they looked around, waiting for the other groups to complete theirs. The first team presented their part, and when the second team finished theirs, they noticed something odd. The main character and the setting seemed to be the same. It became clear that each group had been so focused on their own piece that they hadn’t considered how it connected to the others.

The realization hit the team. They had been so caught up in competing with one another that they had missed the bigger picture. The goal wasn’t just about completing individual sections of the story; it was about coming together to form a cohesive narrative. They didn’t need to make up the beginning and the end; everything was at their disposal.

Lila stepped in, smiling at the puzzled faces around her. She explained that the exercise was meant to show how competition can sometimes blind us to the value of collaboration. While they had worked hard, they hadn’t worked together, and as a result, the final product was incomplete.

From that day forward, Lila’s team approached their work differently. They understood that while individual success is important, true achievement comes when everyone collaborates and contributes to the larger goal. In the end, they discovered that they could achieve much more together than they ever could alone.

Let’s talk about this:

The other day, I was watching Celine Dion’s documentary “I Am: Celine,” and she mentioned something that inspired me to write this post. She quoted an African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

For those who know me, it's easy to recognize that Lila’s story this week is about me. I did this activity with a team I absolutely loved. We had been working together for years, and they knew my passion for collaboration and how much I believe we can go much farther if we go together. We are stronger together. Yet, even though they knew our summit would be about “Collaboration,” they still fell into the temptation to compete.

When I revealed the true intention of the activity, they were initially upset with me. They said I hadn’t been clear on the goal. I just waited and let them vent. Then, we had a great discussion about the importance of checking in with other teams, communicating openly, and finding opportunities to work together. Teams which collaborate can combine strengths, gain diverse perspectives, and overcome challenges that an individual might struggle with alone.

Returning to the proverb, “If we want to go far, let’s go together,” as a leader, it’s essential to foster collaboration and inclusivity. This approach leads to long-term, sustainable success instead of just short-term wins. When we focus on patience, collaboration, open communication, and shared effort, it leads to more enduring achievements and a more rewarding process. It’s also important to remember that teamwork can be even more impactful when the team is diverse. Diverse teams are better equipped to tackle complex problems because they embrace different viewpoints.

But it's not just in the workplace where going together takes us far; it applies to our personal lives too. Mutual support and shared goals can lead to deeper, more meaningful lives and personal growth.

I genuinely believe in the power of collaboration. Maybe it's because I come from a collectivist society like Brazil, where the needs and goals of the group—whether family, community, or work teams—are often prioritized over individual desires. Or perhaps it's because I come from a family that always made decisions together and stuck together through good and bad times. Or maybe it’s because I love music, and I see collaboration as a symphony orchestra, where each musician brings their unique instrument and talent to create a harmonious masterpiece. Alone, each instrument can produce a beautiful sound, but together, they create music that is richer, more complex, and more powerful than any single performer could achieve on their own. I don’t know why I am this way, but it has worked for me, and I hope this post inspires you to try collaborating more or encourage those around you to do so.

Whether in work or life, remember that our greatest achievements come when we move forward together.

What excellence looks like:

• If you are a leader, clearly communicate the value of collaboration to your team, reinforcing the message that teamwork and mutual support are prioritized over individual competition. For instance, hold team meetings where successes are celebrated collectively rather than individually. Encourage team members to genuinely share credit for accomplishments. When competitive behaviors arise, address them directly by highlighting how they undermine team cohesion and collaboration.

• If you are part of a team, promote transparency and open communication by using shared documents, team chats, and regular check-ins to keep everyone informed and aligned.

Food for Thought:

 "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." African proverb.

Resources:

I Am: Celine Dion - Official Trailer | Prime Video