Building A Dream Team: A Chat on Efficiency, Cricket, and Being the Smartest in the Room

Last week, I sat down with one of our incredible engineers for what was intended to be a routine chat. However, like most things at our dynamic company, it quickly evolved into something much more profound. I thought I'd share some snippets from our chat because it felt like something every engineer, and frankly, every professional, can relate to.

John (let's call him that) approached me, a pile of tasks in his hands, overwhelmed by the sheer responsibility of what he’d undertaken. I could sense the weight of countless tasks on his shoulders and his eagerness to solve every problem that came his way. I've been in John’s shoes, and many of you probably have too. That eagerness to demonstrate our prowess by scooping up every task, aiming to excel at all of them. But, the reality? We’re not doing ourselves or our teams any favors.?

Here's the thing: In the realm of engineering, as in many areas of life, it's not about doing everything but doing what you do best and enabling others to shine in their areas of expertise. It’s about identifying your strengths and leaning into them while understanding that there are tasks others can handle more efficiently.

To drive this home, I leaned on a beloved sport—cricket. Just as you wouldn’t expect a bowler to always make the winning runs or a batsman to deliver a hat-trick, every engineer doesn't need to solve every problem. A cricket team works because everyone brings a specialized skill to the pitch, each supporting the other. The synergy of their individual strengths contributes to the team's success. Similarly, acknowledging and respecting the strengths of our peers allows for a more harmonious, productive, and efficient workspace.

I couldn’t resist adding, “You know, I genuinely believe that some, or perhaps all, of the engineers on this team are smarter than me.” He looked at me, a little surprised. I continued, “That's precisely why I hired them. As the famous saying goes, “If I’m the smartest person in the room, then I’m definitely in the wrong room.” We both smiled, but there's profound truth in this. The brilliance of a leader doesn't lie in overshadowing their team but in illuminating them. I hire bright minds because they bring something to the table I cannot.

To all the 'Johns' out there, remember this: The power of our team doesn’t lie in any one individual's ability to do everything but in each individual's ability to contribute their best to the collective masterpiece.

True leadership lies not in hoarding responsibilities but in recognizing strengths, both in ourselves and in others. In valuing collaboration over individual prowess. In understanding that sometimes, seeking help or delegating is not a sign of weakness but one of wisdom. So the next time you find yourself overwhelmed, remember the cricket pitch and ask yourself, “Am I playing to my strengths? Or am I trying to bat, bowl, and keep wickets all at once?”. Finally, don't forget to have fun! Engineering is a challenging but rewarding profession. Enjoy the journey.