Success in teams is often misunderstood. Large consultancies and self-help books sell us ideas that sound logical but are disastrous in practice. Let’s look at the five biggest myths:
- A strong team just needs the best people.
Why this is wrong: A team of superstars doesn’t work—you need balancers, integrators, and process thinkers. A team full of visionaries without execution power is as useless as an orchestra with only first violins. - Agile means everyone can do everything.
Why this is wrong: Too much flexibility without structure leads to chaos. Smart teams know when to adapt and when to specialize. - Good teams solve their own problems.
Why this is wrong: Teams don’t see their own blind spots. Without external insights, they keep repeating the same mistakes. - Feedback is always useful.
Why this is wrong: Feedback without context leads to frustration. If a specialist evaluates a generalist, or vice versa, they often miss the full picture. - A team that works well together is a good team.
Why this is wrong: Too much harmony can be just as harmful as too much conflict. Innovation doesn’t come from consensus but from strategic tension.
Are you following a team myth that’s slowing you down? Let’s rethink it.
