EconTalk How Teams Succeed (with Colin Fisher)
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Sep 8, 2025 Colin Fisher, a scholar of organizational behavior at University College London and author of The Collective Edge, dives into what makes teams thrive. He discusses how dysfunctional dynamics often sink groups, emphasizing the need for clearly defined tasks to spark synergy. Colin critiques traditional team-building activities, suggesting real trust is forged through collaboration. He also highlights lessons from leaders like Steve Jobs and Bill Belichick, pointing out that structure often trumps coaching in team success.
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Power Of Group Dynamics
- Groups exert unseen forces that shape behavior and goals more than individuals realize.
- The "collective edge" is harnessing those group dynamics to improve outcomes.
Create Shared Purpose
- Build shared purpose to reduce social loafing and increase effort.
- Strengthen identification with the group so members sometimes try harder than they would alone.
Design Work With Purpose
- Design tasks with identity, significance, autonomy, and feedback.
- Give people whole work that shows impact so they feel motivated to contribute.
