Live data from Hacker News

Lone Wolves: Why do some people hate teamwork? (2017)

queendomblog.wordpress.com

1–10 of 88 posts

Re: Lone Wolves: Why do some people hate teamwork? (2017)

#3
They don't hate teamwork, they just have been beaten up enough to learn not to trust others. They attack others verbally before the other party can get their shot off. Meanwhile the other person is confused why they are being attacked and assumes the lone wolf just hates them and hates working in teams.

Re: Lone Wolves: Why do some people hate teamwork? (2017)

#6

They don't hate teamwork, they just have been beaten up enough to learn not to trust others. They attack others verbally before the other party can get their shot off. Meanwhile the other person is confused why they are being attacked and assumes the lone wolf just hates them and hates working in teams.

Another way to look at it is they place their ideals and values above the group's. They like the group but they don't need the group's standards or values.

Re: Lone Wolves: Why do some people hate teamwork? (2017)

#7
I disagree with the notion of a "lone sheep".

By the same logic I have known a few "lone wolves" who are outrageously arrogant and disorganized and so unwilling to accept when they're wrong that nobody wonders why they're never in charge.

This article sounds like it's trying to make excuses for the shortcomings of the "lone" type by making a false distinction.

I'm saying this as someone who used to be considered a "lone wolf" and basically just grew out of it by speaking my mind more often, keeping my statements brief and relevant, and developing more patience for others.

Also worth pointing out this personal growth was not possible until I found a slower paced job where projects weren't always on fire and due yesterday.

Re: Lone Wolves: Why do some people hate teamwork? (2017)

#8

They don't hate teamwork, they just have been beaten up enough to learn not to trust others. They attack others verbally before the other party can get their shot off. Meanwhile the other person is confused why they are being attacked and assumes the lone wolf just hates them and hates working in teams.

Also, on teamwork it seems to be the case, often, that the competent people do all the work, and are expected to share credit, but will take all the blame if they get something wrong. At least, that’s how it works in corporate. It’s exhausting. As a so-called “lone wolf”, you get to finish early and go home.

Re: Lone Wolves: Why do some people hate teamwork? (2017)

#9
post #2

Great post. Not sure, how much research is behind everything but the overall sentiment hits it pretty spot on.

Yeah, I don't know whether I believe they actually found 18,000 people and somehow sorted them accurately into high and low performers.

I've worked with people who don't like teamwork because they're afraid of being discovered as not knowing what they're doing and others who can't compromise on literally anything, so claim they're the smartest and best and nobody can keep up. All have in common that in the long term, the things they build are unmaintainable Jenga towers nobody else understands. The rest of the team used 5 people's input to build robust systems. The silo workers just had themselves. It shouldn't be surprising that even with design and code reviews, what they create isn't as good.

They also have in common that they love to be called "lone wolves" because it makes them sound cool. I'm about 99% sure this article was written by one.

Re: Lone Wolves: Why do some people hate teamwork? (2017)

#10

They don't hate teamwork, they just have been beaten up enough to learn not to trust others. They attack others verbally before the other party can get their shot off. Meanwhile the other person is confused why they are being attacked and assumes the lone wolf just hates them and hates working in teams.

Another way to look at it is they place their ideals and values above the group's. They like the group but they don't need the group's standards or values.

There's also the fact that not everyone can understand things to the same extent. Some people are more intelligent and more competent.

In some groups, this works very well, with others' - there's simply no understanding at all of this.

You are free to dismiss me as the arrogant lone-wolf, but that just isn't accurate.

Some groups imbue consensus with an inflated value. These groups don't take well to differing opinions or alternative perspectives. Especially such that go against a/ the consensus.

Post reply on HN