Teamwork That Works: What Great Teams Have in Common

31 snips

Sep 8, 2025

Liev Hukset Wang is the Head of Communications at the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo, dedicated to preserving Thor Heyerdahl's legacy. Colin Fisher, an Associate Professor at UCL, focuses on innovation and teamwork. They discuss the remarkable Kon-Tiki expedition, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and clear goals in achieving success. Colin shares insights on avoiding social loafing and fostering group synergy through effective collaboration, debunking myths about team dynamics with compelling historical examples.

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ANECDOTE

Kon-Tiki's Bold Launch

Thor Heyerdahl assembled a ragtag crew and launched the Kon-Tiki to test a migration theory using ancient materials.
The voyage set sail from Peru with six men on a balsa raft to drift over 4,000 miles to Polynesia.

ANECDOTE

Harsh Realities At Sea

Life aboard the Kon-Tiki was harsh with sun, cold nights, salt-soaked supplies, sharks, storms, and waterlogged logs.
The crew faced emergencies like rogue waves and feared the raft sinking as balsa absorbed water and grew heavier.

ANECDOTE

Near Tragedy, Quick Change

A man-overboard incident nearly cost Hermann Watzinger his life until Knut Hauglund plunged in and saved him with a life belt.
The crew then instituted safety rules like keeping a life belt and long line always on the raft.

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What makes an effective team? Talent? Skill? Discipline?

In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milkman, we're looking at some of the more surprising ingredients of successful teams, according to science. Teams where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

You'll hear the story of the Kon-Tiki expedition—a harrowing journey across the Pacific Ocean led by Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl. A journey made by a small band of adventurers who set out to understand ancient human migration. They were young. Most were inexperienced. But they had enthusiasm, a range of talents and personalities, camaraderie, and a clear and vivid goal. You'll hear from Liv Hukset Wang from the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo, who works with Heyerdahl's grandchildren to keep his legacy alive.

Then, Katy speaks with University College London professor Colin Fisher about his new book on team synergy. You'll hear his recipe for building teams that excel and his tips for avoiding the pitfalls of social loafing.

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