The myth of the lone genius

by Thambu Swami

Most people distrust the power of the many. We grow up within a culture where working in teams is not the norm. We are taught to do our work independently. We grow up watching movies that focus on the heroism of one man. He is the only one and the lonely one.

The lone ranger is definitely an attraction. The movies that do well in India are all about a lone superhero batling the forces of evil all alone – Super man, Batman, Spiderman, Rambo etc. This sociological and cultural rootedness makes us believe in the myth of the lone genius. We are miserable when it comes to working in a team and working with a team. Even within a team we think like individuals. We may speak the language of team work but we might do otherwise where it matters and when it matters.

We need to destroy the myth of the lone genius and start believing in the power of the many. Teams can easily beat individuals. As the saying goes, ” None of us is as smart as all of us”. The myth of the lone genius needs to de-mythologized. We need to believe and practice the power of teamwork.