Teamwork Matters As Much As Talent. How Do We Foster It?

$765 million.

That’s how much the New York Mets have agreed to pay superstar Juan Soto over 15 years.

There’s no doubt he’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent…

But is it worth it?

Putting such a massive premium on one person can pay huge dividends.

Or it can backfire...

In a very expensive way.

Now, you may or may not be a baseball fan…

Yet, I’m wondering if this dilemma sounds familiar.

Why It Matters:

The rhetoric around “talented individuals” in recent years in the corporate world has started to mirror the way America thinks about sports:

Individual talent > Teams.

You’ll often hear people cite the McKinsey finding that top performers are 8x more productive than average ones.

And I don’t doubt it.

But here’s the thing:?

Teamwork matters just as much—if not more—than raw talent.

Due to the complexity of modern knowledge work…

And the need for integrated efforts from collaborative people who are all experts at their discipline…

We can’t neglect the power of the team.

So how do we foster teamwork? Here are 5 of my top tips:

1. Hire Team Players

Raw talent is important.?

But team players??

They’re essential.

According to a Gallup study, highly engaged teams show 21% greater profitability.

So, when hiring, we need to go beyond technical skills and experience…?

And instead, vet candidates for their ability to collaborate, communicate, and align with team goals.

Ask about past team experiences:?

“Tell me about a time you prioritized the success of the group over your own.”?

Or, “How do you handle disagreements within a team?”

If they can’t articulate it? That’s a red flag.

2. Design Operational Rhythms That Foster Collaboration

Teamwork doesn’t just happen.

Like a garden, it needs to be cultivated through regular care.

Think intentionally about operational rhythms:

• Regular calls to keep everyone aligned.
• In-person meetings for deeper connection.
• Offsites to reset and strategize.

And we can’t settle for “leaving it to people to figure out on Slack.”?

Here’s a stat: Companies with effective communication practices are 50% more likely to have lower employee turnover. (ClearCompany)

3. Embrace Conflict

Yes. I said “embrace,” not “avoid.”

Healthy, productive conflict deepens relationships and strengthens teams.

We have to provide a safe setting where our people can voice disagreements—respectfully.?

A culture where debate is seen as a tool for growth, not a sign of dysfunction.

As Patrick Lencioni puts it, “The fear of conflict is one of the biggest barriers to team success.”?

So I think we ought to lean into it.

And research backs this up: Teams that encourage open dialogue are 25% more productive than those that avoid conflict. (MIT Sloan Management Review)

4. Develop Shared Values—Together

Teams thrive on shared purpose and values.

But, one thing I’ve learned?

We can’t dictate these values from on high.

It’s far more effective to involve everyone in crafting them.

Hold workshops. Facilitate discussions. Make sure each team member feels ownership over what the team stands for.

When values are co-created, they’re lived out. They’re not just words on a wall.

5. Reward and Promote Teamwork

What we reward, we’ll get more of.

So why not recognize and promote people who prioritize the team over individual wins?

When we celebrate collaborative successes publicly, it builds team-oriented momentum.?

Equally important??

Discouraging individual behavior that goes against team dynamics—even if it “works” in the short term.

It's far better to protect the team’s long-term health.

IN CONCLUSION…

If you’ve got $765 million handy…

Then feel free to wager the success of your company on a bona fide superstar.

But, if you’re like the rest of us?

We’ve got to not only hire the best we can, but also foster a team dynamic that makes them far greater than the sum of their parts.?

So, if even one of the points in this article was helpful for you, then I’ll consider it…

A home run.