Find your team

There is a popular myth in our modern culture about the genius inventor who worked on his own (probably in his garage) and came out with something that changed the world. In business, we talk about Steve Jobs building Apple and Elon Musk launching Tesla (or SpaceX). 

In the creative world, we talk about the Star Wars movies made by George Lucas and Walt Disney's game-changing animation. In non-profit arenas, we marvel over Mother Theresa caring for the dying and MLK, Jr. pushing back on racism.

But while these are remarkable people, not one of these people worked alone. Not one of them was a solo genius. That's just the story we tell because: 1) it's easier to say one name than mention everyone on the team, and 2) our culture loves to elevate "special people" and make celebrities out of them. 

What I am far more impressed with about each of these visionary leaders is how they were able to gather a team of people around them who also pursued the same grand vision.

We tell the story of the brave, lone wolf who changed the world despite no one believing in them. But in the real world, the lone wolf usually scrapes by on a diet of small rodents; it's the wolf pack that captures the big game.

 So, don't go to your basement and spend hours trying to create your world-changing project all by yourself. Get outside and find your support network.

 If you want to build something great, find a pack of people to run with and figure out how to change the world along the way. Even finding just one other person who believes in you and your dream will change everything for you.