Some people don’t avoid teamwork because they’re unfriendly—they avoid it because they see themselves as a “one-person company.” They prefer full control, independent decisions, and minimal reliance on others.
This reminds me of the psychological concept of the Illusion of Control: the tendency to overestimate how much better outcomes will be when we handle everything ourselves. In reality, complex problems often require diverse perspectives, not just individual excellence.
Instead of forcing collaboration, start small. Give them ownership of a clear task while creating opportunities for low-risk interaction. Trust is rarely built through meetings—it grows through repeated positive experiences.
The best teams aren’t made of people who think alike. They’re made of people who learn that shared success can outperform individual brilliance.