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The Collective Edge

The Collective Edge

Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups

About the Book

“An eye-opening guide to making teams more than the sum of their individual parts. Essential reading for creators, builders, and leaders.” —Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Drive and The Power of Regret

The definitive guide to the surprising science of group dynamics, and the ultimate resource for building high-performing teams, communities, and organizations

Why are groups so hard? From boring work meetings to dysfunctional families to warring nations, group dynamics shape every aspect of our lives. How can we avoid the common pitfalls of living and working together and get the most from our groups? The solution isn’t to change individuals—it’s to understand the world from a collective perspective.

In The Collective Edge, Colin Fisher, one of the world’s foremost experts on group dynamics, distills decades of research into practical strategies to help groups function at their highest levels. Through case studies from billion-dollar companies, boutique design firms, great basketball teams, and Star Trek villains, Fisher reveals how to compete without dysfunctional conflict within groups, why conformity pressure can sometimes be positive, and why effective group leadership often comes down to structure and organization instead of motivational speeches.

The secret to getting the most from your groups is knowing how to work with the invisible forces of group dynamics instead of being mindlessly pushed around by them. Whether you’re a leader, team member, or simply interested in better understanding how groups work, The Collective Edge provides essential wisdom that will help your groups unlock their true potential.
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Praise for The Collective Edge

“If you’ve ever wondered why some groups spark brilliance while others remain stuck in mediocrity, this book has your answer. Fisher has distilled decades of research into a practical, eye-opening guide to making teams more than the sum of their individual parts. The Collective Edge is essential reading for creators, builders, and leaders.”
—Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Drive and The Power of Regret

“A winner. Every important finding from a century of research on groups can be found in its thoroughly enjoyable pages. The Collective Edge is a must-read for anyone who wants to unravel the mysteries of human groups.”
—Amy C. Edmondson, Professor of Leadership, Harvard Business School, and author of The Fearless Organization and Right Kind of Wrong

“A thought-provoking read about how a group becomes more than the sum of its parts. Colin Fisher has done a deep dive into the dynamics of successful teams, and in this book he shares his most illuminating and useful discoveries.”
—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking

“Captivating, evidence-based, and packed with insights to help you boost the performance of every group and team you value, The Collective Edge is a must-read. Collaboration has never mattered more, and Fisher offers a phenomenal, science-backed guide to how groups really work—and how to make yours thrive.”
—Katy Milkman, author of How to Change and host of the podcast Choiceology

“Brilliant, grounded, and full of aha moments, The Collective Edge is the new standard for understanding group behavior. This is a vibrant, research-rich dive into what makes teams flourish. A must-read for team leaders and collaborators alike.”
—Annie Duke, author of Thinking in Bets and Quit
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About the Author

Colin M. Fisher
Since his days as a professional jazz trumpet player, Dr. Colin M. Fisher has been fascinated by group dynamics. As Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation at University College London's School of Management, Colin’s research has uncovered the hidden processes of helping groups and teams in situations requiring creativity, improvisation, and complex decision-making. He has written about group dynamics for both popular science and management audiences, and his work has been profiled in prominent media outlets such as BBC, Forbes, NPR, and The Times. Originally from Redmond, Washington, he now lives in North London with his wife and two children. More by Colin M. Fisher
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