You're not as clever as you think you are, so here's how to think smarter

Most of us think that by teaming up, we work harder and become more accomplished. 

The truth, though, is we tend to put in less effort in a group because we know our efforts will be pooled. If you know you aren't being judged as individuals, your instinct is to fade into the background.

To prove this, psychologist Alan Ingham had people put on a blindfold and grab hold of a rope. The rope was attached to a contraption that simulated the resistance of an opposing team.

Would you try harder playing tug of war alone or as part of a team?

The subjects were told other people were also holding the rope on their side, and he measured their effort. 

Then, he told them they would be pulling alone, and again he measured their effort. They were alone both times, but when they thought they were in a group, they pulled on average 18 per cent less strenuously. 

This phenomenon has been observed in every possible situation involving group effort. Communal farms always produce less than individually-owned farms.

Factories where people do repetitive tasks with no supervision are less productive than ones where each person has an individual quota to reach. 

Sports coaches are so aware of this that most major teams isolate each member of the team when they're trying to evaluate or encourage them.

Sports coaches are so aware of this that most major teams isolate each member of the team when they're trying to evaluate or encourage them

This effect can even be charted on a graph. The more people you add to the team, the less effort any one person makes. 

The graph arches away like a perfect ski slope. So if you want something done properly, then do it yourself.