The Power of One

I have recently been working with an array of people who all say, and seem to want, the same thing.  But there is a universal lack of unity of effort.  

Imagine a mass of people milling around a deserted island surrounded by hungry sharks.  There is not enough food to sustain them (two or three coconuts... maybe) and only sea water to drink.  There is also a huge and heavy chain that is connected to a large luxury yacht at one end and the big rock mound in the middle of the island.  The yacht is big enough to carry them all, and yes it has plenty of food and fuel.  Oh, yeah, it also has computerized navigation that is easy to understand and use... and a key in the ignition.  The only problem is that the yacht is floating too far out inthe current to swim to when the sharks are still cruising the waters, drooling and smacking their lips.  (Okay.  A bit of creative license here.  Just deal with it.)

Despite their obvious and mutual plight, they can't seem to solve their problem.  They each believe they know what needs to be done and won't listen to anyone else's ideas because that would be a waste of time.  One by one they approach the chain and try to pull the boat in closer to shore.  No one can do it.  

They decide to vote on who should be the one to pull it into shore.  They obviously pick the strongest man because he was able to at least lift the chain.  While he tried to lift the chain and pull the yacht in toward shore, some of the others watched, some milled about wringing their hands in worry, and some even yelled for him to try harder.  When he couldn't do it, the ones who voted against him started blaming those who voted for him.  

They are all dead now.