We have the brightest minds and still have a highly dysfunctional team

Recently, a very bright founder of a large start up with a billion euros of funding told me that in his company there are so many bright and smart people, so that’s why it would prosper.

I would like to give you more insight on it, there are some issues with this approach, because at the end of everything, the teamwork is the key competitive advantage of any business and the most talented teams tend to perform poorly in the absence of teamwork. It is a proven fact, not just word sand let me explain you why.

Those bright people in different teams start to work together on a manner of wasting time and energy on politics, trying toout maneuver each other. Finally they even ignore what their CEO and Founder told them, working in a way they think is correct way of doing thing. The result of such a high-performing work is low morale, lost focus, no performance and continues loose of valuable players who just overwhelmed and said enough.

The morale of it is that we can bring together the brightest minds and still have a highly dysfunctional team. A healthy and positive team culture and effective employee retention strategies is a way to solve this puzzle. It is important to work on people’s intercommunication and help them work together with no ability to compete one to another.

One of the most common pitfalls in high-performing teams is what’s known as “the talent trap.” When everyone is focused on showcasing their own abilities, they may unconsciously sideline collaboration in favor of personal success.

This mindset often leads to miscommunication and an environment where team members become more concerned with “winning” against each other than working toward a shared objective.

The result?

A team of exceptional individuals who collectively underperform. True team success depends on creating a culture where talent is harnessed for the group’s benefit, not just for individual gain.

To shift away from dysfunction, leaders need to prioritize both alignment and trust within the team. This involves setting clear expectations, fostering open communication, and rewarding collaborative efforts.

Simple practices, like team-building exercises and regular check-ins, can go a long way in reinforcing a culture of mutual support. When people feel safe sharing ideas and receive recognition for collective achievements, they’re far more likely to be engaged and motivated.

Ultimately, a team’s success doesn’t come from individual brilliance alone but from a commitment to shared goals and supportive collaboration.

UnitiQ offers flexible, on-demand HR services designed to provide businesses with immediate access to HR expertise, exactly when they need it.

From talent acquisition and HR operations to strategic people management, UnitiQ’s professionals handle both specific HR tasks and comprehensive HR solutions, adapting to each client’s unique needs. By partnering with internal HR teams or directly with company founders, UnitiQ brings value through fast access to skilled HR experts, cost-effective solutions that eliminate the need for a full-time hire, and a sector-specific approach that ensures new hires align with both the company culture and technical requirements.

Their tailored services prioritize building teams based on core values, improving engagement and compliance, and simplifying communication through a single point of contact.

With over 25 years of experience in growing businesses, UnitiQ is a trusted partner to companies across sectors, including aerospace, robotics, automotive, and food tech.

We are happy to help you with Talent Acquisition and HR tasks, please contact me, Olga Fedoseeva, Founder at UnitiQ, directly:
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