In 1990, Vanilla Ice gave us one of the best leadership advice we could have received…”Alright stop, collaborate, and listen!” Who knew he was a leadership genius?

Collaboration breeds creativity.

Creative people tend to act alone. They do well while working solo but have a hard time playing with others. It’s not that they don’t like other people; it’s just that they feel others slow them down. Creative people don’t like explaining themselves and convincing others about their ideas. They want to do what they do without anything getting in their way. 

There is nothing wrong with wanting to move fast and avoid obstacles, but when we cut people out of the problem-solving process, we also end up cutting our effectiveness down. Creative people can create great things themselves, but imagine how much more they could create with others. The truth is the more collaboration, the more creative we can be in the long run.

It’s said that 2 Horses can pull about 9,000 lbs. together. How much do you think 4 Horses can pull? You would assume 4 Horses can tow 18,000 lbs. However, 4 Horses can pull over 30,000 lbs. together. Teamwork doesn’t double your effort; it multiplies your effort. There is a compound effect that occurs when creative collaboration takes place. If you truly want to multiply your impact, you must work well with others. Going solo limits your potential. When you work alone, you have to work 10x as hard to produce.

Don’t be afraid to lean on others and invite them into problem-solving conversations. Never solve problems alone. Always bring your inner circle close to the issues so you can rely on their input and perspective.

Make sure you are surrounded by the right people who think big and think for solutions.

If you commit to being a great problem-solver, you need to make sure you surround yourself with the right people. Those you surround yourself with can make or break your future.