Teamwork story: Why is there a difference when everything is the same?

Many years ago, at a prestigious university known for producing some of the brightest minds in literature, there was a group of exceptionally talented young men. They had a remarkable ability to write and express their thoughts through poetry, essays, and stories. These students were not only gifted but also ambitious, determined to make a name for themselves in the literary world. Realizing that they could sharpen their skills by critiquing each other’s work, they formed a group. They called themselves “The Critics.” The Critics met regularly in a grand, old library filled with books from the greatest writers of history. Their meetings were intense. Each time a member shared a piece of writing, the others would examine every word, every sentence, and every idea with merciless precision. They prided themselves on their honesty and sharp analysis, believing that only through harsh criticism could they achieve perfection. “Your use of metaphor is weak,” one would say, dismissing a beautifully written passage. “The pacing of your story is completely off,” another would remark coldly. “If this is the best you can do, you might as well quit now,” someone else would add with a smirk. The young men soon became more afraid of failure than excited about writing. Instead of finding joy in their craft, they began to write cautiously, fearing ridicule. Some even stopped writing altogether, their confidence shattered by the weight of relentless judgment.

Across campus, a group of young women who also loved literature watched how the Critics operated. They admired their ambition but were troubled by their harsh approach. They too wanted to improve their writing, but they believed there was a better way to do it. So, they formed their own group and named themselves “The Mentors.” The Mentors also gathered regularly to share their work, but their meetings were different. Instead of tearing each other down, they encouraged one another. Every piece of writing, no matter how small or imperfect, was celebrated as a step forward. “This part is beautiful! Maybe if you describe the setting a little more, it would be even stronger,” one would say with a smile. “I love your storytelling! Have you thought about adding more dialogue to bring your characters to life?” another would suggest warmly. Even when there were flaws, they were pointed out with kindness, and solutions were offered instead of just criticism. The members of the Mentors felt safe to take risks, to experiment, and to grow.

Time passed, and the students of both groups graduated, venturing into the world with dreams of becoming great writers. Twenty years later, a university alumnus decided to study the career paths of his former classmates. As he went through their literary achievements, he made a shocking discovery. Among the once-brilliant young men of the Critics, not a single one had made any significant literary accomplishment. Despite their sharp intellect and immense talent, none had written a novel, published a great poem, or achieved recognition in the literary world. But among the Mentors, several had become successful writers. Some had written bestselling books, others had won national literary awards, and many were respected authors whose words inspired thousands of readers. The alumnus was puzzled. The Critics and the Mentors had been equally talented, and equally educated. Why had the Mentors thrived while the Critics had faded into obscurity? Then he realized that the answer lay in the way they had treated one another. You see the Critics had created an atmosphere of fear and self-doubt. Instead of building each other up, they had crushed each other’s confidence. Their constant negativity drained their creativity, making them afraid to take risks, to fail, and ultimately, to succeed. The Mentors, on the other hand, had built a culture of encouragement. They had helped one another grow, providing support instead of judgment. Their kindness allowed them to explore their talents without fear, to improve without shame, and to persist even when faced with challenges.