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 in the face that when properly handled, collaboration builds to the irresistible force of synergy. But "properly handled" is the key term here. Some tasks clearly work best as one-person jobs. To use an everyday example, both my teenage boys can't push the lawnmower simultaneously without getting in each other's way; a lot of shoving would result. A better collaboration would be for one to mow while the other trims or bags.

Collaboration is a fine concept; we couldn't have a decent civilization without it. But it can't possibly apply to every human endeavor, any more than a hammer applies to every mechanical situation. So while it offers a seductive, feel-good solution, it can also dull your agile edge.

Before you just assume collaboration offers the best approach for a particular task or project, give it the VALUE GAP test, taking these considerations into account: