Is it easier to give a boost to an individual who has fallen behind or hold up the team’s progress to regroup? Context matters. A cross-country running team that is scored based on the top five individual scores is better off seeking a personal best for each individual and hoping their fight and sixth and members push each other, driven by competition and the thought of not letting the rest of the team down. A cycling team can place its weakest performing member in the ideal location to benefit from the drafting effect. The team may still need to ease off the power when the drafting impact is less.

As year-end giving virtual appeals appear in our email inbox, I notice a trend. Some organizations are asking for a boost to catch up with the need that is ever-expanding. Others are requesting assistance to provide services that keep the group together. Some causes are boost-focused, while others focus on not allowing a gap to form.

What mindset is most compelling to your work?