Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Independence...and teamwork
As we roll toward Independence Day, let’s talk about independence. Because it’s not just about dumping tea in a harbor and oohing and aahing over fireworks and letting freedom ring while you party in someone’s backyard. Independence is also about something deeper—individual agency and collective power.
Sure, independence can mean personal freedom, autonomy, agency. But in the context of Independence Day, it’s never just about one person. It’s about a group of people rallying around a shared cause, a common purpose.
Naturally, that gets me thinking about individual and group dynamics—at work, at home, in communities, pretty much everywhere. You’ve probably heard that old gem, that there’s no “I” in team. Which is cute. And annoying. And, also, not exactly useful.
Because there is an “I” in team. Several, actually. And they all matter.
Turns out, individual agency is essential for collective success.
Hmm.
It's not either/or.
It’s not I or team.
It’s both.
Great teams don’t suppress individuality. They rely on it. But that only works when you know your own voice, your own values, your own boundaries. When you recognize your role in making something bigger happen—whether it’s a project, a household, a protest, or a country. And when you see the value that others bring to the table.
Bottom line? Independence doesn’t mean going it alone. And collaboration doesn’t mean losing your identity in groupthink.
I chose this week’s song because while freedom might be another word for “nothing left to lose,” it's also a powerful word for knowing who you are…and choosing who rides with you."
Healthy teams (in any setting) are built on mutual strength. And true independence—the kind that gets things done with intent and meaning—is about interdependence.
Be independent. Be connected.
Or, better yet—be both.
Want to explore specific ways for you to find better balance between independence and interdependence? Check out this reflection guide:
