Who Is the New How

2Diverse Intangibles

We've all heard the myth: The entrepreneurial giants of the world had to fight their way to the top, single‐handedly and against all odds. And of course, that's the story we're told. Myths are engaging—we love heroes—and the tale of one person's trajectory is much easier to understand than that of a group. As individuals, we make sense of the world through stories. And stories about other individuals feel relatable. We can see some of ourselves in our heroes, and we like it. These stories fuel our imaginations in ways that feel empowering and encouraging, and are far more engaging than an exploration of a team's dynamic.

But success stories about the lone hero are misleading. When we're faced with pressure or complexity, it's often the specific actions and skills of many, as opposed to those of one person, that make a complex endeavor successful. We see it time and again, in sports, politics, communities, family life, and of course, business.

That doesn't negate the importance of that “one person” though—for it's a bunch of individuals who make up a team, and the uniqueness each person brings to the table determines the team's overall cohesiveness, productivity, and success. Individual parts add up to the whole, and individuality matters. Our uniqueness matters.

Notice we said uniqueness, not talent. Contrary to popular belief, building a team with lots of really talented people doesn't necessarily guarantee a team's success. Research shows that groups ...