The creator of Flickr and Slack Technologies, Stewart Butterfield, frequently offers his thoughts on what makes teams work well together. One of his well-known quotes centers on the notion that success cannot be ensured by assembling a team of exceptionally gifted people. He compares it to assembling a sports team of players who are all outstanding in their own right but are unable to function as a cohesive team.

Consider assembling a basketball team from which each player is an MVP from a different team. They may be able to score goals whenever they want and dominate defense on their own, but they would struggle against less individually talented teams that work well together if they didn't know how to pass or run plays.

In a similar vein, Butterfield thinks that teamwork is more powerful than talent alone. A group of talented people who don't work well together can't do nearly as much as a team built on mutual support, open communication, and trust. His philosophy places more emphasis on team synergy than it does on individual prowess or standout players.

This viewpoint demonstrates the importance Butterfield places on creating an atmosphere where individuals, regardless of their starting level of experience, feel at ease cooperating and encouraging one another's development. It's about fostering an environment that prioritizes group achievement over individual recognition.

Stewart Butterfield essentially makes the case that in order to accomplish exceptional results, teams should invest in developing solid relationships and efficient communication. This entails more than just hiring the best candidates; it also entails fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to fully participate and collaborate with others to achieve shared objectives.