Why the fastest path to peak performance is designing teams as communities, not collections of individuals

Research on team productivity shows that groups designed as interconnected communities—not just skilled individuals—consistently outperform rivals, even when individual ‘stars’ are present. In Google’s 'Project Aristotle,' the highest-performing teams weren't packed with graduate degrees or solo geniuses. Instead, they had regular rituals highlighting group achievements, paired collaborations, and open conversations about tension points. The science is clear: communities nourish engagement, buffer burnout, and foster creativity by assuring each member their effort ties to a larger whole.

Historically, business often saw internal competition as the main motivator, assuming rivalry kept everyone sharp. But studies reveal the opposite: unaddressed tensions, competition for credit, and 'status conflicts' erode trust and create waste. The trick is not to eliminate all conflict, but to purposely surface and resolve it through structured practices, pairing frustrated members for side projects, and refocusing praise on group wins.

Case after case, including large manufacturing studies and creative industries like video game design, confirm that community design—shared rituals, public recognition, and cross-silo pairings—transforms even aggressive, driven teams into bonded, resilient groups with lasting impact.

This week, make a point to publicly highlight someone who helped a colleague or sacrificed for the team, not just the star performer. Find a small project or routine where you can intentionally pair two people who haven’t worked closely before and encourage them to communicate regularly. When you sense growing tension or competition, bring it into a group conversation, naming your shared goal as the highest priority. Building a community isn’t about eliminating ego, but binding it to a purpose everyone can own.