In the early days of his career, Michael Jordan was known for his unparalleled scoring ability. He could take over a game single-handedly, often outscoring his opponents’ top scorers combined. But as phenomenal as his individual performances were, Jordan quickly realized that to win championships, he couldn’t do it alone. He needed to elevate the play of his teammates and learn how to distribute the ball to make the team better. This transformation was a turning point in his career—and a blueprint for success that can be applied beyond the basketball court.

For startup community leaders, the lesson is clear: Success isn’t just about individual wins; it’s about fostering a culture where collaboration among community leaders is paramount. In the early days of a startup ecosystem, much like the early days of Jordan’s career, there’s a tendency for everyone to focus on their own activities. Startups are heads down, grinding away on their product. Investors are hunting for the next unicorn. Incubators and accelerators are working to prove their model. Government bureaucrats are managing the politicians and playing their cards across as many activities that make sense. Each player in the ecosystem is focused on their lane, often leading to operating silos that stifle growth and innovation.

But what if we took a page from the Michael Jordan playbook? What if we, as community leaders, focused on distributing the “ball”—whether that’s resources, knowledge, or connections—across the ecosystem to elevate everyone?

Breaking down these silos begins with a mindset shift. Just as Jordan learned to trust his teammates, community leaders need to trust that collaboration will lead to a stronger, more resilient startup ecosystem. This might mean creating more opportunities for startups to share their experiences with each other, facilitating introductions between entrepreneurs and investors, or encouraging support organizations to collaborate on joint initiatives. The goal is to create a culture where success is shared, not hoarded.

Consider this: when Jordan started passing the ball more, not only did his teammates get better, but it also opened up the game for him. Defenses couldn’t just focus on stopping him—they had to account for the entire team. The same holds true in a startup community. When leaders work to break down silos, the entire ecosystem benefits. Startups grow faster, investors see better returns, and the community as a whole becomes more attractive to talent and resources.