An employee is usually rated for salary increases and promotions on the basis of individual achievement; in some organizations little credit is given for collaboration and cooperative effort as a team member. Thus, these organizations foster the perception that individual achievement is the pinnacle of accomplishment. To be in the spotlight, prepared to succeed or fail on your own, has become a cherished ideal. In reality, however, few people work alone; they depend heavily on the cooperation of others to accomplish tasks and reach their goals, and competing rather than collaborating with co-workers holds everybody back.

In the finest companies, much gets done without dazzle or hype by teams of people pulling together.