This was not intended as a trick question. A major class discussion had been devoted to the subject of teamwork and autonomy. It seems that the students could not be convinced that individual differences not only should be tolerated but actually encouraged on high performing teams. Too often, we do not. Think about this point.
Many teams suppress individualism because team-work and individual initiative seem incompatible.
If your motives really were to advance the group rather than distinguish yourself, then that group was not trying to get you to be a team player. They were trying to make you conform to pressure, which is never true teamwork. A well functioning team honors individual differences. To honor means investing energy to best understand and make use of different talents, experiences, and perspectives. After all, if all individuals think alike, then the team is unnecessary.