Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone: Building a Strong Team with a Solid Feudal System

When building a team, many fall into the trap of thinking that there must be a dominant figure controlling everything—like a king in a monarchy. However, history has shown that the success of a civilization is not determined by one person alone but by the system implemented within it.

One interesting example comes from the unification of China under the Qin Dynasty. When King Zheng (later known as Qin Shi Huang) held his first diplomatic meeting, he declared his ambition: to unify all of China under one stable power. However, his advisor raised a critical question:

“If China is unified, who will be its ruler? Will you be the sole ruler? Will you act as a god?”

Qin’s answer was simple yet revolutionary:

“The ruler of a unified China will be the law. The law will serve as the highest feudal authority, and everyone must obey it.”

From this, we can learn that a team does not need a single dominant figure; rather, it needs a system that is strong, fair, and transparent to maintain stability and collaboration.

1. Establishing a Strong Feudal System Within the Team

Feudalism is often associated with authoritarian rule, but in the context of a team, it can be interpreted as a clear structure and discipline applied fairly. Some essential elements include:

• Mutually agreed-upon rules – Every team member must adhere to the established guidelines, rather than merely following a leader.
• Fair division of roles and responsibilities – No role is superior or inferior; every contribution matters.
• Transparent rewards and consequences – There should be clear consequences for rule-breaking and proper recognition for achievements.

2. Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone and Expanding Connections

A stagnant team struggles to grow. That’s why it takes courage to step beyond familiar circles and seek individuals who can strengthen the team. Some ways to achieve this include:

• Finding people with aligned visions – Not just skilled individuals, but those who share the same mindset and goals.
• Engaging in communities and discussion forums – Meeting people with different expertise can enrich team strategies.
• Opening doors for collaboration – Don’t hesitate to work with external parties that can enhance the team’s ecosystem.

3. The Unified Mindset: It’s Not About Who Rules, But About the System That Is Followed

Qin Shi Huang did not make himself the absolute center of power; instead, he established a legal system that became the foundation of the state. In a team, leadership should not be the sole decision-making force. The key is ensuring that the operational framework is effectively enforced.

• Avoid overly dominant leadership – A successful team is one where every member takes responsibility.
• Use a system that is both flexible and disciplined – Similar to Qin’s legal reforms, which were strict yet adaptable to different circumstances.
• Focus on collective goals, not individual egos – Everyone should work with the awareness that the team’s success is the top priority.

Conclusion

Building a strong team requires more than just a powerful leader—it demands a system that is respected and upheld by all members. Just as China was unified under Qin, success is not dictated by a single figure but by the rules and principles that govern the team. With transparent feudalism and disciplined collaboration, a team can move forward with stability, innovation, and readiness to face future challenges.