We Over I - the Power of Winning Together

Have you ever worked on a project with someone who always said, “I did this,” or “This was my idea”? At first, it might seem harmless, but over time, it becomes clear—you’re not truly working with them; you’re working for them.

In life and business, we’re often taught to celebrate individual accomplishments and solo victories. Our systems reward personal success, and society tends to place individuals on pedestals. But the truth is, almost everything we achieve depends on collaboration, teamwork, and the collective effort of many, not just one.

The “We” That Built Giants

Think about some of the world’s most successful companies, like Apple. Steve Jobs is often the face of Apple’s success, but behind him was Steve Wozniak, the engineering genius who helped build the company’s foundation. Jobs had vision and charisma, but without Wozniak’s technical brilliance, Apple might have never taken off. It wasn’t just Jobs or Wozniak—it was them. It was “we.”

This isn’t just an isolated case. Studies show that companies with co-founders have a much higher chance of succeeding than those with solo founders. When there’s a team behind an idea, it benefits from different perspectives, complementary skills, and shared accountability. Yet, despite all this, why do we still fixate on individual contributions?

Why “We” is So Hard to Embrace

The truth is, we’ve been conditioned to think in terms of “I.” From a young age, we’re graded individually, praised individually, and encouraged to outshine others. School rewards personal performance. Even in the workplace, bonuses and promotions often focus on individual achievements.

So, when we transition into the real world—where success depends on how well you collaborate, communicate, and work with others—it can feel foreign. We might find ourselves asking, “Why am I not getting credit for my work?” But the better question is, “How can we achieve more together?”

Shifting from “I” to “We”

As leaders, we have the power to create a “we” culture. The best leaders know that their job is not to hoard credit or micromanage but to build an environment where everyone feels ownership. Great leaders focus on collective success, not personal accolades.

When Steve Jobs returned to Apple after being fired, he was a different kind of leader. He recognized the importance of collaboration, not just with his technical team, but with designers, marketers, and product managers. It wasn’t about his vision anymore—it was about creating something together.

The same applies in relationships outside of business. How often have we heard someone say in an interview, “I couldn’t have done this without my spouse’s support” or “My family has been my rock”? Those acknowledgments are important because, even in personal success, the “we” often plays a vital role. Behind every significant achievement, there’s almost always a support system, whether it’s a spouse, a mentor, or a team.

Why We Need to Talk About This More

It begs the question: why aren’t we talking about this more? Why is it so difficult for society to embrace a “we” mentality when all evidence points to its importance?

Maybe it’s ego. Maybe we’ve been taught that individual success is the only way to stand out. Maybe it’s fear—fear of not being seen, not being recognized, or being replaced. But the reality is, holding on too tightly to your vision or contribution can stifle growth. True success comes from shared ownership and collective effort. And in this era with information access, the best type of advantage anyone can have is being known for being a “we”

Ego vs. Ownership: The Balance

One of the biggest challenges in any team or partnership is balancing ego and ownership. Many business relationships fall apart because someone believes, “This is my idea,” or “This is my project.” When we cling too tightly to our own contributions, it creates tension and discourages others from contributing fully.

Great leaders and collaborators know how to let go of their ego and embrace shared ownership. They understand that it’s not about whose name is on the project, but about how everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. That’s what drives true, sustainable success.

When Teams Fall Apart

Look at why teams fail or companies break down. Often, it’s because there was too much focus on individual success, desires and wants, and not enough on the collective. When founders or leaders can’t shift from “I” to “we,” the cracks begin to show. Team members don’t feel valued, they lose investment in the vision, and soon, everything starts to unravel.

I’ve personally walked away from projects where it became clear that the other person saw it as theirs—not ours. That lack of shared ownership poisoned the partnership. Now, whenever I enter a new collaboration, I look for this dynamic: are we building something together, or am I just playing a supporting role in someone else’s story? I don’t think the latter is bad, it just have to be communicated clearly.

The Shift to “We”

So, how do we make the shift from “I” to “we”? It starts with self-awareness. Recognize when you’re holding on too tightly to your personal stake in something. Ask yourself, am I really fostering collaboration, or am I just protecting my own interests?

This doesn’t mean your contributions aren’t important. They are. But the key to long-term success, whether in business, personal relationships, or any partnership, is in recognizing that no one truly succeeds alone. The more you build with others, the greater the success you’ll achieve.

Where Do You Stand?

Ask yourself: are you more of an “I” person or a “we” person? In your career, relationships, or projects, are you fostering a sense of shared ownership, or are you focusing on individual recognition?

What kind of leader or teammate do you want to be? One who inspires collective success, or one who chases solo victories?

I’m not saying there aren’t “I” entreprenuers that goes to build something they want, yes, a big fat check can do that for you. But, then the questions remains, what type of organization are you building and what type of team are you developing.

For me, I think the best talents aren’t usually bought, they are influenced and inspired. You need inspired people working with you and not necessary working for you. That usually, make all of the differences.

I’m still learning as I go, trying to understand this better. I’ve been fortunate to have experiences in different stages of growth and collaboration, and each has taught me something new. But the most valuable lesson is this: true success comes from “we” over “I."

At the end of the day, no great achievement is ever the result of just one person’s effort. The sooner we all embrace that, the more we can accomplish—together.