I am with the folks who choose ‘team’ over ‘idea’.

There are many reasons, I will focus on one – the ‘importance’ of ideas.

When people work, in relative terms, few of them are really interested in ideas. Perhaps, 10% of business people are keenly interested in ideas. For example, consider the StrengthsFinder Talent Themes – Ideation and Intellection…assuming Gallup’s assessments are reliable, people who register these talent themes have something in them that makes ideas and thinking about ideas fascinating. Coming up with ideas and thinking about ideas is part of the fabric of these people’s lives. Based on the results we have seen, perhaps 10% of people register these ‘idea’ talent themes. So, the remaining 90% of people ideas are just not that interesting or important.

On the other hand – people, people-interactions, and people-relationships are important to the majority of people. And, ‘a great team’ is the epitome of people-relationships…this applies to personal relationships, to sports teams, and to business.

A small group of committed and capable team players can take mediocre ideas and make magic.

A great idea in the hands of a mediocre team of people goes nowhere.

If we want people to excel we must first make sure they and their team of co-workers are comfortable and capable of performing their roles…together. 

PS: Perhaps, we should re-phrase the question...If we wish to help Canadian businesses do better [or your business, if you prefer], what's a higher priority: improving ideas or improving leadership teams? On an international basis, Canada is slipping down the "Innovation Scale".

This CEO comment triggered the idea for the survey: On a 1-to-10 Scale [where 1 is Doesn't Matter At All & 10 is Absolutely Critical],

How important is it that people feel good at work?

The survey result: 9.5 [Extremely Important] 

A related article...  Measuring Emotions & Feelings

The @GKWCC #P2P series of thought tweets contains ideas, quotes, & suggestions provided by local business leaders at "CEO Peer-to-Peer" group meetings, sponsored by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

The goals of the thought tweets: to help local business leaders and to promote the sharing of business thoughts.

The thoughts expressed are not opinions of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce...they are opinions of local business leaders who are Chamber members and participate in the Chamber's CEO P2P program.

Thought Tweet #691 Leaders - we cannot hand over our precious time or energy to business bullies.

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Unfortunately, business bullies tend to grow like weeds in the garden. If they are allowed to get too big they become prickly, they choke the flowers, and they sour the garden.

Leaders cannot allow that.

And, unfortunately, most business bullies are unwilling to change...without leadership-help. And, that leadership-help must be aggressive or else it will not be taken seriously by the bully. Generally, it is unwise to cross the line between assertiveness and aggression. Regardless, it is the route leaders must take when dealing with business bullies.

It takes leadership strength to deliver leadership-help to business bullies.

Why?

Bullies are a cocky bunch...that's one of the signature traits shared by all business bullies.

As examples...

Closet Bully: someone that self-disguises and plays a fake role in business...and acts cocky while role playing

Parasitic Bully: someone that resembles a biological parasite in dependence on someone else's business for existence or support without making a useful or adequate return...and acts cocky while doing [actually, not doing] that

Business bullies are asking for iron-fist assertive leadership.

They are crying out for it.

Take care though - you must deliver it to business bullies properly.