“When we admit a class of students to MIT, it’s as if we’re choosing a 1,100-person team to climb a very interesting, fairly rugged mountain—together.”
This is interesting, as it has actually been shown that when people are in a group “brain-storm” setting, the ideas generated then are actually less creative than ideas generated in their own office/desk. This is not to say that there is no need for group work, but just to say that there is time for team work and then there is time for individual work. The so-called brainstorm session often is biased by group-think and/or diminished by team leader’s preference/influences.
I venture to guess the 1,100 strong MIT mountain climb team would be a lot more successful in conquering the rugged peak if they have leaders and followers and cheerleaders and background helpers. It will be a disaster-in-the-making if most of them are outgoing leaders.