One of my favorite sayings is “Play for the front of the jersey.”1 If you follow sports, you know what this means. The name of the team goes on the front of the jersey, and the name of the individual goes on the back.

In professional sports, playing for the front of the jersey requires sacrifice. It might mean fewer shots or less playing time. It might result in worse individual statistics, and in turn, lower earnings. Professional athletes often have to decide between doing what’s best for the team’s success or their individual success.

Many people assume this same kind of dynamic exists within startups. They wonder if they should do what’s best for their company or do what’s best for their career.