The Art of We vs Me in Teams

We Can’t Be Shooters All the Time

How do you balance "we" vs "me" at work? Sounds simple, but it's not.

YOU have a career, a family, goals, aspirations, and likely a few talents and abilities you want to showcase. Yet if you've had any success, especially in leading teams, you've needed to adopt a "WE" mentality at some point.

As a novice basketball player learning the ropes in his 40's, I'm constantly amazed by how the game naturally enforces this balance.

Our coaches drill into us that rule #1 is that you're a shooter, and your goal is to score. YET... there's crucial nuance here. It's not about everyone just taking shots - it's about getting the BEST shot possible for the team within the time you have. Sometimes that's your shot, sometimes it's creating an opportunity for someone else.

This creates a fascinating balance between selfishness and selflessness. Figuring out when to take the shot and when to pass becomes an art form. For people like me who love facilitating and making that perfect pass, I actually need to work on being MORE selfish - taking those open shots when I have them. For others, growth means learning to dial back, especially on those low-percentage hero shots.

Here's the thing about basketball - no one likes the ball hog, even if they're good. Many pros have had to evolve from being so dominant in their early careers that they never passed, to learning how to elevate their entire team.

The same principle applies at work. You have your career goals, your team has objectives, and your employees have their own aspirations. The secret is finding those "everyone wins" scenarios where personal growth aligns with team success. Just like on the court, it's about recognizing moments where taking your shot actually helps the team, and when passing creates an even better opportunity.

When everyone understands and plays their role, it showcases individual talents while bringing out the best in the team. Some people are natural scorers, others are defensive specialists, and some excel at rebounding. In the workplace, these roles look different - maybe you have your strategic thinkers, your detail-oriented executors, and your relationship builders - but the principle remains the same.

The key is finding that sweet spot where pursuing your individual excellence actually makes the team stronger. It's not about choosing between "we" and "me" - it's about understanding how your personal growth can lift everyone around you.

So ask yourself: Are you taking the right shots? Are you creating opportunities for others? Are you playing your role while staying ready for your moment?

Because in both basketball and business, the most successful players aren't just the ones with the highest individual stats - they're the ones who make everyone around them better.

What's your strategy for balancing individual achievement with team success? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Understanding the complexity of team communication is half the battle. Solving it is the other half. Let us help your team navigate these complexities with our LEGO-based sessions on communication, collaboration, and connection. Contact us today to learn more and see how we can transform your team's dynamics. Let's build a better team together!

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