In today’s world of business, we have come to consider teams as the default way for almost all work to be managed. However, given that engagement at work has been assessed at being low — around 30% by Gallup and 35% by Towers Watson — the practices that are most general, rather than being the foundation of productive work, should actually be suspect.
It has often been said that teams are a means, not an end. Establishing principles that encourage individuals to align themselves with a performance-oriented work ethic sets context for both individual and team work, and is of greater importance than a team-oriented work structure. That mindset trumps teamwork, since even when we work in teams there is always a need for solitary work.