"Every sin is the result of a collaboration." -- Lucius Annaeus Seneca, ancient Roman philosopher. As Will Rogers once pointed out, "It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so." Sometimes we make unwarranted assumptions that just don't hold up under close scrutiny...but they survive longer than they should because we don't scrutinize them. Here's a good workplace example: collaboration. As much we might like to think otherwise, not everything requires it. I can almost hear the shocked gasps from those enthusiastic souls who've bought into this sacred cow, seduced by cheerful slogans like "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!" and "There's No 'I' in Team!" Now, please understand: I believe wholeheartedly in the value of teamwork. It's as obvious as a slap … [Read more...]