We Are Stronger Together
How Collaboration is Rocket Fuel for Growth
I used to think independence was the goal.
That doing it all myself somehow made me stronger, more capable. If I just worked harder, managed my time better, pushed through the exhaustion trying to control—then I’d make it. But at what cost? Burnt out, lost and depleted.
The ego doesn’t like this truth. It resists, clinging to the illusion of control. Asking for help? Delegating? Receiving feedback? It all feels like a threat.
If I could just schedule my ego death in my calendar, that’d be great...
The truth hit me in the quiet moments. Deep in a project, spinning in circles, wishing someone could just be a thought partner. The weight of self-sufficiency can be suffocating.
And then, the realization: Life isn’t meant to be lived alone.
Last night, I found myself balling my eyes out over being over-whelmed. Thank god, my best friend was there to hear me out, paint a picture to work through it, push those insecure loud thoughts. Simply having someone to speak to as a sounding board can make a huge progress in work, life, self-growth, healing.
Somehow life keeps pushing me towards collaboration, teaching me that true fulfillment comes from partnership, not solo battles.
I know my soul’s growth depends on embracing balance and nurturing my close relationships. Collaboration isn’t just practical—it’s a growth goal. Every meaningful thing in my life has been built with others—friendships, love, creativity, work. The best ideas come alive in collaboration. Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. So why do we try to do it all alone?
The Art of Giving (and Receiving) Feedback
If collaboration is the secret sauce, feedback is the spice. And let me tell you—my sister is all spice. A blonde bombshell with zero filter, she delivers her opinions like a bartender serving shots. No chaser, no hesitation. Yet as swim team captain, she sometimes she’s struggles to collaborate on a team. Being the loudest doesn’t always equate to being heard.
So, I introduced her to the feedback sandwich.
Compliment
Feedback
Opportunity
Think of it like slipping a pill into peanut butter before giving it to your dog. Start with something positive like “I love your energy in this project,” slide in the constructive feedback “but maybe let people finish their thoughts before jumping in,” then close with encouragement “because your ideas really do add value.” Digestible, right?
Radical candor is key—saying what needs to be said, but with care. Not holding back, but also not crushing spirits. The best collaborations are built on trust, where honesty and kindness coexist. Feedback isn’t about tearing someone down; it’s about making each other better. The best collaborations thrive on honesty—when we trust each other enough to say, "Hey, this could be stronger" and also, "I see your magic."
Finding Flow
Working with others isn’t just about splitting the workload—it’s about amplifying each other’s strengths and supporting weaknesses. The best creative teams know how to flow together. Sometimes that flow is effortless; sometimes it takes effort.
I aspire to be the Rick Rubin for startup teams. Rick Rubin, the legendary music producer, is known for drawing out the best art in artists. Often found sitting in production studios, grounding the space, and reminding artists of their true voice, coaxing out their moments to shine. The inner artist in all of us has an inner critic—Rick Rubin tells that little voice to fuck off and keep flowing.
I love nurturing team well-being. How can we flow together through communication, support, and creativity? Acknowledging weaknesses, cutting the anchors, and amplifying strengths. Some ways I’ve woven this into collaboration:
Note-take – One dedicated person to write and collect everything that sparks something in you.
Ground – Step back and let ideas breathe.
Absorb – Let ideas sit. Process.
Inspire – Share with others, spark new connections.
Edit – Trim the fat, sharpen the core.
Cheerlead – Support, celebrate, refine together.
Creative Collaboration
Alone you can be like James Bond, weaving through life with precision and independence. But even Bond has his Q, M, and an entire support team behind the scenes. A team isn’t just about speed; it’s about exponential possibility. Together you become a rocket ship—built for altitude not just acceleration. With the right crew, you don’t just go faster—you go further, breaking through barriers you couldn’t alone. A solo driver can win races, but a well-oiled team launches into entirely new dimensions of success.
When teams flow, magic happens. But flow isn’t random—it’s built with intention.
I often hear teams say, "No, but..." These are useful in the editing phase but are idea subtractors, not generators. Instead, "Yes, and..." invites new thoughts, making space for abundant ideas. An expansion rather than contraction.
Mutual respect for another’s perspective is necessary for an open conversation.
I love leading teams through workshops to ease collaboration hiccups and define what issues need navigation. Teams that invest in these rhythms don’t just work together—they create together.
Brainstorms – Not just idea dumps, but structured creativity.
Retrospectives – What worked? What didn’t? Adjust accordingly.
Performance reviews – Not just a formality, but a space for real reflection.
Off-sites – Changing the environment sparks new energy.
Prioritization frameworks – Because not all ideas need action right now.
Powerful Together
I remember watching a docuseries about a six-person crew living in an isolated habitat simulating life on Mars for a year. In The Habitat, their survival depended on adaptability, support, and accountability. It revealed the intricacies of human dynamics in long-term collaboration.
“I think we all kind of filled in at different times, and so we were all able to work together in order together to be like 'OK, so-and-so's having a rough time with whatever's going on in their life,' and we all pick up the [slack],"said Johnson, crew member
"And then, the next person has something fall down and you just kind of have a rotating roll of who gets to take a little bit of time off because something else more important in their mental life is going on.” - crew member
"Remember your crew is the most important thing, they're all you've got, So keep yourself healthy, keep them healthy." - crew member
Whether it be on a crew mission to mars, launching a product, or planning that annual trip with friends, or raising a kid—life itself is about collaboration. The best things happen when we stop trying to do it all alone. Let’s build, create, and dream together.
Alright, talk next week friends.