Ants use the collective muscle
Ants can switch between individual and collective action when it comes to teamwork. Ants understand when to be part of the collective muscle and when to play an individual scouting role. When an ant that was part of a team realises there is a problem will transform into a highly individualistic leader and her colleagues instantly accept the decision and follow suit. The lead ant will yield to another 10 to 20 seconds later, then that ant makes the leadership decisions. The scout is no different to the other ants; she designates herself because she has current knowledge about the correct direction. Ants are among the very few species that organise among themselves to collectively carry loads far heavier than an individual member of their species.
