People love what they design and why that’s both a strength and a risk
There’s a saying in collaborative design: people love what they design and own what they create.
That idea captures why collaboration is so powerful. When people have a hand in designing the solution, they commit to it. They defend it. They bring their pride and energy to making sure it succeeds.
The power of ownership
Co-creation leads to ownership. Ownership builds commitment. Commitment fuels momentum.
A strategy designed together will be championed.
A process redesigned with input will be adopted more quickly.
A shared vision will be protected and advanced by those who helped shape it.
This is the beauty of collective intelligence: the sense of “this is ours” that unleashes energy throughout an organization.
The shadow side: attachment
But every strength carries a risk. What we design, we also cling to. Ownership can turn into attachment. In fast-changing environments, ideas that once fit perfectly can quickly lose relevance. Yet teams may resist letting them go—not because the idea is still right, but because it feels like theirs.
The leader’s role
Strong leaders recognize both sides of this dynamic. They know that sustaining innovation means balancing pride of creation with openness to change. They:
Honor contributions by validating the pride people take in their work.
Create space for adaptation so it feels natural to evolve ideas.
Encourage ongoing evolution by reminding teams that collective intelligence is not about one brilliant moment but about the ability to adapt together over time.
Unlocking collective intelligence is not only about designing together. It’s also about learning to let go together.
At TidalCo:, we co-create collaborative processes to help organizations and communities navigate complex challenges. If you’re ready to turn collective intelligence into lasting impact, connect with us.
