Break Free From Your Solo Mindset. Now!

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“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go further, go together.” (African Proverb)

It’s been over 13 years since Steve Jobs died, yet his impactful legacy continues to shape technological trends while inspiring countless upcoming innovators.

As a visionary leader and painstaking perfectionist, Job’s influence extends far beyond the innovations and products his company, Apple Inc, has so far created.

So far-reaching is Steve Job’s influence that his name and Apple Inc. are as inseparable as two sides of the same coin.

But, imagine a world where all the techno gadgets we take for granted in modern life were the results of a single person’s efforts. Fantastic as the idea of a lone trail-blazing genius may be, the real world and all worthwhile breakthroughs are the outcomes of collaborative efforts.

Enticing in its appeal as the idea of a “lone-ranger genius” may be, the world wasn’t built by geniuses.

Why then do some always prefer to strike out all alone as solo rangers in their approach to life, business, or work? What are the pro and cons of solo mentality?

Solo mentality (not Silo Mentality)

Similar to the concept of “silo mentality” in organizations, where departments or individuals hoard information and work in isolation, “solo mentality,” is a mindset where an individual prefers to work alone rather than collaborate with others.

Although being independent-minded has its advantages, a recent experience has revealed that this approach can sometimes be detrimental.

At its worst, it can hinder individuals and corporations from scaling or missing out on opportunities that might have improved their business performance.

Solo mentality led to a missed business opportunity

There was the time when the executive I was working for sent some new guys to check out the equipment I was working on.

Naively, believing that the new arrivals were affiliated with the executive’s clientele, I volunteered to keep them informed about the progress I’ve made and the next steps for the project.

Unknown to me, the newcomers were my competitors. What was I supposed to do?

I immediately shifted into a collaborative mode.

What do I have to lose?

Nothing.

After all, isn’t 10% of the fruits of a collaborative effort better than 100% of a failed solo effort?

Isn’t 10% of the fruits of a collaborative effort better than 100% of a failed solo effort?

Unfortunately, my new partner would have none of it. He and his managers were were hedging and all claimed up.

For them, it was “all or nothing”. He was not only concealing information from me, but he would also have withheld essential details from our mutual customer to keep them needlessly dependent on him.

To worsen the relationship, when I referred them to another customer in need of their core services, they hesitated and declined to pursue what could have been a lucrative, mutually beneficial business opportunity.

Why did they do that?

Because of their “all or nothing” zero-sum-game solo mentality.

What are the causes of Solo mentality?

Personal preference for individual tasks over group projects. This may not be unconnected with the fact that many organizations swear by team effort, but when the time comes for sharing the rewards and glory, recognition and accolades disproportionately go to lone-rangers.
The desire to outshine others can lead to people avoiding teamwork and collaboration.
In organizations, individuals who seek help or inputs from others may look weak and incompetent. Therefore, they tend to rely solely on personal skills and knowledge even when seeking help or input from others may have yielded the desired outcomes faster.

The Pros and the Cons of Solo Mentality

In an interesting article, Lena Firestone itemised the benefits and pitfalls of being solo minded.

The Pros.

Working alone can help you minimize distractions thereby increasing your productivity.
Time spent alone doing out-of-the-box thinking on a project or seeking solutions to a business challenge can foster creativity.
The absence of hierarchy means there is no need for consensus. This makes for quicker decisions, especially in fast-paced business settings.
Being solo minded can give you the freedom to passionately pursue your ideas and interests without compromise.
Personal reward and fulfilment from seeing your ideas come to life.

The Cons

Solo mentality can lead to pigeon-hole thinking, causing you to overlook the big picture as in missing the forest for the trees.
Without collaboration, the flow of ideas is hindered, which in turn blinds youe to potential risks, opportunities, and solutions to problems.
You can easily get overwhelmed. Burnout results because of refusal refused to build walls of a supporting network of colleagues and collaborators.
Solo mentality is grossly inefficient. With this mindset, you often need to re-invent the wheel. Trying to duplicate what others have already done more efficiently, you miss out on synergistic opportunities.
The lack of opportunities to exchange ideas with others stifles creativity and innovation.

How to overcome solo mentality

Without a “win win” point of view, it is difficult to overcome solo mindset. Look for opportunities to collaborate in business and your professional groups. And always have the mindset that the success of others can increase your own success too.
Actively build mutually supporting networks of business allies, mentors, advisers, and colleagues.
Get comfortable with collaboration and synergy, as these can open doors to your own growth at both business and personal levels.
Recognise that a problem shared in a team is often closer to its solution than otherwise.
It takes iron to sharpen iron. Adopt a win-win growth mindset. This enables you to open up to others, learn and grow from their skills and experience.

Closing Thoughts

As enticing as the concept of being a solo minded lone ranger may be, in real life and in many business scenarios, its disadvantages often outweigh its benefits.
To avoid the pitfalls of a solo-mind, you must open up, encourage and promote your workers for being part of successful collaborative efforts.
Constantly strike balance between solo mindedness and collaboration. This is a must if you and your organization are to grow and stay abreast and ahead of the competition in an ever fast-paced business landscape.