Manage This - The Project Management Podcast Episode 236 – From Loafing to Crushing It: The Hidden Power of Groups
Nov 3, 2025
Colin M. Fisher, an associate professor at University College London and author of The Collective Edge, dives into the intricacies of team dynamics. He unpacks social loafing, revealing how group size impacts effort and success. Colin advocates for complex task design to combat loafing while emphasizing the power of autonomy and shared goals. He critiques traditional team development models and highlights traits that boost engagement. Drawing parallels to jazz, he explores synergy within teams, showcasing how collaboration can lead to remarkable outcomes.
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Groups Shape What We Value
- Studying groups reveals invisible forces shaping decisions, values, and behavior.
- Don't assume teammates see tasks, goals, or roles the same way you do.
Counteract Social Loafing Proactively
- Compensate for social loafing because people exert less effort when others share the task.
- Use leadership and management to counteract the brain's tendency to conserve effort.
Give Whole, Complex Tasks
- Give teams complex, whole pieces of work so members see outcomes and use varied skills.
- Grant autonomy on how to achieve goals to boost ownership and reduce loafing.
