Episode 107: Teams vs. Lone Wolfs

The problems associated with being the lone wolf, or solo survivalist, have to do with just that, being solo and a lack of help, support, and companionship.  

"Isolation in prison isn't a thing because it's good for the person in isolation. And, at least they have their meals brought to them. Humans are social creatures and always have been. For example, solitary confinement can have negative psychological effects on prisoners – including significant increases in anxiety and panic attacks, increased levels of paranoia, and being less able to think clearly.

Many prisoners also report long-term mental health problems after being held in isolation."

According to Mayo Clinic, social isolation and loneliness are associated with a greater risk of poor mental health and poor cardiovascular health, as well as other health problems. 

According to ScienceAlert.com, they're also more likely to feel depressed and may have problems processing information. This, in turn, can lead to difficulties with decision-making and memory storage and recall.

People who are lonely are also more susceptible to illness. Researchers found that a lonely person's immune system responds differently to fighting viruses, making them more likely to develop an illness.

But some people who have faced the challenge of being alone for an extended period of time may show personal growth – including emotional growth, feeling closer to family and friends, and having a better perspective on life – as a result of their experience. And some people in experience a greater appreciation for people and life, better attention and focus, and overall feeling happier than before upon coming out of isolation.

Build trust and respect. Nurture a team-oriented environment based on trust and respect, without which there will only be limited success.

Be true to your word. If you demand high productivity and quality work, you'd better be as good as your word. You get what you give. If you promise to do something, be sure you will fulfill it. When team members notice that you are a reliable person, they will emulate your behavior.

Create an environment that supports team bonding. If you want to improve teamwork, help people get to know each other better. Organize in-person get-togethers as often as is realistically possible. 

Take advantage of conflict. There are no teams exempt from occasional misunderstandings. Somewhere, somehow, conflict will show up. When a confrontation between people gets out of hand, it must be dealt with. Don't complicate the situation by deciding what is good or bad. Listen to all sides carefully and then talk to others who may provide insight. Brainstorming solutions favorable for both sides may even result in ideas that would never have come to mind without the conflict. It does not mean that confrontations are good, it just means that they make people think about two points of view of the matter. More points of view mean more possibilities.

Make adding new people to your team a group effort. If you want to bring a new person in, talk it over with your current team. Set up opportunities for everyone to get to know one another. Remember, when it comes to preparedness experience, skills and qualifications are important. And the most important qualities for the team are always personality and social skills that are in alignment with your values. With regards to trust and respect, we talked about earlier, it's our personalities and ability to work together through good times and bad that is most important The ability to effectively communicate within the team is what makes the team great. On the other hand, just looking to add people into your circle of trust-based skills can totally upend the apple cart. Not everyone with a resume is a good fit!