Humants
If we observe an individual ant we see an insignificant insect. Not capable of much of anything on it's own. But a colony of ants are known to build vast structures. The sheer effort and coordination insects like ants can demonstrate building something that complex is a proof of hive mind. Intelligence far beyond any individual member of the collective.
Us humans think of ourself as highly individual beings. We are obviously intelligent, capable of doing complex things on our own.