A student insisting on working alone rather than collaborating is usually fine if the assignment allows individual projects — solo work is a legitimate, common way to run a real business. If the specific unit genuinely requires group collaboration, explaining the reasoning clearly, and understanding what's driving the resistance, usually resolves it better than simply insisting without context.
A student insisting on working entirely alone, when other students are collaborating or the unit generally encourages group work, isn't necessarily a problem to correct — it depends heavily on what the specific assignment actually requires.
Solo work is a legitimate business format
Plenty of real businesses are run by a single person making all the decisions themselves. If your unit allows individual projects, a student's strong preference for working alone reflects a completely valid business format, not a refusal to engage with the assignment properly.
Understand what's driving the resistance
If collaboration is genuinely required, a brief, private conversation about why the student is resistant — a past bad group experience, a strong independent streak, something else specific — helps you respond appropriately rather than assuming it's simple stubbornness without understanding the actual reason.
Explain the specific reasoning behind required collaboration
If the unit's design genuinely depends on group work to teach specific skills — dividing responsibilities, managing disagreements, coordinating decisions — explaining this reasoning clearly to the student can help the requirement feel purposeful rather than arbitrary, even if they'd still prefer to work alone.
Look for a compromise role if appropriate
Sometimes a limited collaborative role — consulting briefly with another student on one specific decision, rather than full partnership — can satisfy the requirement's learning goals without fully overriding a student's strong preference for independence.
Recognize what solo work still teaches
Running something entirely alone still builds valuable skills — full ownership of decisions, managing every aspect of the work, taking complete responsibility for outcomes. These are different from the skills group work emphasizes, but genuinely valuable in their own right.
Address it consistently with class expectations
Whatever you decide for this particular student, applying a consistent, explainable standard — rather than making an exception that feels arbitrary to other students — keeps the unit fair and avoids the situation becoming a broader fairness issue in the classroom.
Key takeaways
- Wanting to work solo is legitimate if the assignment allows individual projects
- Understand what's driving the resistance before assuming it's just stubbornness
- If collaboration is required, explain the specific reasoning behind it
- A compromise role within a group can sometimes satisfy both the student and the requirement
- Solo work still teaches valuable skills, just a different mix than group work
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if a student refuses to work with anyone else on their business?
Respect it if individual projects are allowed; explain reasoning if not.
Is it a problem if a student wants to run their business entirely alone?
Not inherently — solo work is a legitimate, common business format.
What if the unit specifically requires group collaboration?
Explain the specific skills it teaches and consider a compromise role.
How do I find out what's driving the resistance to working with others?
A brief, private conversation often reveals the real reason.
Looking for a unit flexible enough to accommodate different working styles? See Kebloom's programs for schools and our guide to building a 6-week classroom business unit, or check pricing.
Key takeaways
- Wanting to work solo is legitimate if the assignment allows individual projects
- Understand what's driving the resistance before assuming it's just stubbornness
- If collaboration is required, explain the specific reasoning behind it
- A compromise role within a group can sometimes satisfy both the student and the requirement
- Solo work still teaches valuable skills, just a different mix than group work
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if a student refuses to work with anyone else on their business?
If individual projects are allowed, respect the preference — solo work is a legitimate, common way to run a real business. If collaboration is specifically required, explain the reasoning and look for a compromise role.
Is it a problem if a student wants to run their business entirely alone?
Not inherently — many real businesses are run by a single person, and solo work still teaches valuable skills in planning, decision-making, and responsibility.
What if the unit specifically requires group collaboration?
Explain the specific skills the collaboration component is designed to teach, and consider whether a smaller or more limited collaborative role could satisfy the requirement without fully overriding the student's preference.
How do I find out what's driving the resistance to working with others?
A brief, private conversation — rather than addressing it in front of the class — often reveals whether it's a past bad group experience, a strong personal preference, or something else specific worth understanding.
This article is general information for teachers and schools — it is not professional or legal advice. Nothing here is a promise of earnings for any student.
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