# It's Dangerous to Go Alone and With Others By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-02-11 Is it more dangerous to go it alone or with others? If one goes alone, one could fail under the most uncomplicated conditions where another pair of hands would be beneficial. For example, having someone else hold something steady makes construction much more likely to be successful than attempting to build it entirely without assistance. However, one does not need to worry about what others are doing as their success depends only on their work and actions. When one works with others, one may be able to reduce the odds of failure from basic hurdles, but one increases the odds of failures from complex ones. For example, group power dynamics emerge that make execution and organization complicated. Eventually, one must rely upon group members to achieve complex success. But with so many potential failure points, something decidedly outside of one's direct control will inevitably go wrong and reflect poorly on one's brand and reputation. Additionally, members of the group can inflict significantly more damage than one could do on their own. As highlighted in Shakespeare's Caesar often quoted line: "Et tu, Brute?" One's closest companions may stab one in the back, intentionally or through a series of unfortunate events. Not only has one failed in the larger mission, but now one has been betrayed. Indeed, one can betray oneself when one goes it alone, but what is worse: being betrayed by oneself or by one's friends, loved ones, and allies? Thus, both paths are dangerous in their ways. Going it alone limits potential and disappointment. Going with others increases potential and disappointment. Finding a balance may be impossible, regardless of what we learn from the movies. #### Related Items [[Success]] [[Teams]] [[Organization]] [[Power]] [[Betrayal]] [[Progress]] [[Catch-22]]