Your 20s are a critical time to decide whether to carve your own path as an individual superstar or amplify your success through a collaborative team. In a world that idolizes both solo icons like Taylor Swift and group legends like the Spice Girls, how do you pick the right path? In Episode 5 of The Adulting Podcast, hosts Saurabh and Anshika dive deep into this career-defining choice, offering a roadmap to align your strengths with your ambitions.

Why This Choice Is Your Superpower

Choosing between going solo or joining a team isn’t just about your job—it’s about shaping your legacy, opportunities, and impact. The right path can propel you toward your dream career, whether that’s leading a startup, creating art, or climbing the corporate ladder.

Here are some practical ways to make that strategic choice in today’s AI driven world:

1. Assess Your Talent Honestly: Great or Good?

The foundation of this decision is self-awareness. Are you an exceptional talent destined for solo greatness, or a strong contributor who thrives in a group? 

Saurabh reflects, “I knew from the time I was a child… I was good, not great. That meant I had to maximize my odds of success.”

Take stock of your skills. If you’re a rare talent like Taylor Swift, who built an empire single-handedly, solo stardom might be your path. If you’re skilled but not extraordinary, join a team to amplify your impact, like the Spice Girls did as a collective force.

2. Dodge the Delusion of Greatness: Stay Real

Today’s culture often convinces everyone they’re special, blurring the line between good and great.

Combat this by seeking honest feedback from mentors, peers, or performance metrics. Regular self-reflection—through journaling or discussing your goals with trusted advisors—helps you separate hype from reality, ensuring you choose a path that matches your true potential.

3. Time Your Move: Align with the Era

A solo superstar’s success hinges on timing. A skill that’s hot today might fade tomorrow. 

“Sachin was gifted with cricketing talent… but what if you’re a Sachin born in this day and age? There’s no way you’ll become an exceptional success.”

Research industry trends using tools like X or LinkedIn to ensure your skills are relevant. If you’re in a team, diverse skill sets can hedge against obsolescence, making collaboration a safer bet in uncertain times.

4. Build Your Tribe: No One Wins Alone

Whether solo or teamed, you need a support network. Solo stars require mentors and peers to stay grounded, while teams thrive on mutual investment.
For solo paths, seek advisors who challenge your ideas. For teams, build a “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” where everyone’s committed to collective success. Invest in relationships that amplify your growth.

5. Navigate Ego and Envy: Protect Your Path

Ego can sabotage both paths—solo stars become isolated, and teams fracture over pride or envy.

Practice humility by celebrating others’ wins and addressing conflicts openly. In teams, establish shared goals to minimize competition. Solo players should surround themselves with grounded peers to keep ego in check, ensuring long-term success.

6. Iterate and Evolve: Adapt Your Strategy

Your choice isn’t final—careers evolve. Experiment with solo projects or team roles, reflect on outcomes, and pivot as needed.

Track your progress quarterly, assessing whether your path aligns with your goals. If you’re struggling solo, join a team to leverage collective strengths. If a team feels limiting, hone a unique skill to go solo. Flexibility is key in a dynamic world.

Enjoyed This Episode? You Might Also Like:

Before You Ask Someone For Help – The Adulting Podcast Ep.04

TL;DR – Should You Be an Individual Superstar or a Team Player?

• Assess Your Talent Honestly: Decide if you’re great (solo) or good (team) with honest self-reflection.
• Dodge the Delusion of Greatness: Seek feedback to separate hype from reality.
• Time Your Move: Align your skills with current trends to stay relevant.
• Build Your Tribe: Create a support network for solo or team success.
• Navigate Ego and Envy: Stay humble to avoid derailment.
• Iterate and Evolve: Experiment, learn, and adapt your career path.

SEE MORE LIKE THIS

Welcome to The Adulting Podcast. Hosted by Anshika and Saurabh, this podcast is your go-to for navigating the messy, exciting world of your 20s. From careers to creativity, we’re sharing honest conversations, practical tips, and the lessons we’re learning along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a fresh perspective, we’re here to help you figure things out—one episode at a time.

If you like/love/hate what you see, write to us at @akforthevibe and @saurabh.