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Systems & Organizations

Stop Focusing on Shared Goals

What if unity is overrated?

2026-06-211 min read

When building high-performing teams, leaders often emphasize the importance of shared goals and unity. However, this approach can sometimes backfire, as it may lead to a lack of diversity in perspectives and ideas. In a 12-person product team at a Finnish gaming company, the emphasis on shared goals resulted in a homogeneous approach to game development, which ultimately led to a stagnant and uninnovative product. On the other hand, when team members are allowed to pursue their individual interests and passions, it can lead to a more diverse and innovative output. For instance, a team of developers at a small startup were given the freedom to work on their own side projects, resulting in the creation of a novel AI-powered tool that became a game-changer for the company.

Key insights
Diversity in perspectives and ideas is crucial for driving innovation and growth.
Allowing team members to pursue their individual interests and passions can lead to more innovative output.
An overemphasis on shared goals can result in groupthink and a lack of diversity in perspectives.
Why it matters

If teams focus too much on shared goals, they may miss out on innovative ideas and diverse perspectives that can drive growth and success.

Furthermore, an overemphasis on unity can also lead to groupthink, where team members are less likely to challenge each other's ideas and more likely to conform to the majority opinion.

Use this tomorrow
1
Review your team's project portfolio and count the number of projects that were initiated by individual team members versus those that were assigned by management, to see if there's a balance between autonomy and direction.
2
Set aside dedicated time for team members to work on their own passion projects, and provide resources and support to help them bring their ideas to life.
Go deeper

The concept of diversity in teams is rooted in the idea that different perspectives and experiences can lead to more innovative and effective solutions. Research has shown that diverse teams are more likely to outperform homogeneous teams, as they bring unique ideas and approaches to the table. However, achieving diversity in teams can be challenging, especially in industries where there is a lack of diversity in the talent pool.

The idea of allowing team members to pursue their individual interests and passions is rooted in the concept of autonomy and self-determination. When team members are given the freedom to work on projects that they are passionate about, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged, leading to higher job satisfaction and better performance. However, this approach also requires a high level of trust and accountability, as team members must be able to manage their own time and priorities effectively.