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The Collective Edge

Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups

Colin M. Fisher

$68.95

Hardback

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English
Penguin Young Readers
02 September 2025
“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.
By:  
Imprint:   Penguin Young Readers
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 237mm,  Width: 158mm,  Spine: 30mm
Weight:   522g
ISBN:   9780593715345
ISBN 10:   0593715349
Pages:   336
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Introduction Section I: Cooperation Chapter 1 The Myth of the Lone Genius: The Allure of Individualism in a Group-Based World Chapter 2 The Alchemy of Synergy: When Groups Are More (or Less) than the Sum of Their Parts Chapter 3 More than a One-Hit Wonder: How Groups Cooperate Effectively Chapter 4 From Scream Team to Redeem Team: Launching Collaborations Beyond Team Building Section II: Conformity Chapter 5 Go along to Get along: The Influence of the Many on the Few Chapter 6 You Will Be Assimilated: The Dark Side of Conformity Pressures Chapter 7 Red and Blue: How Groups Get Polarized Chapter 8 The Idea Meritocracy: Winning the Battle against the Dark Side of Conformity Section III: Competition Chapter 9 Always Competing: How Competition Shapes Us and Our Groups Chapter 10 The Escalator to Hell: The Conflict within “Us” and between “Us” and “Them” Chapter 11 Of Pigs and Potatoes: What Can We Do about Competition and Conflict? Section IV: Leading Groups Chapter 12 The House Always Wins: When to Structure and When to Coach Your Groups Chapter 13 The L Word: When and Why Leadership Matters Chapter 14 Groups of the Future: Or Our Future with Groups Acknowledgments Notes Index

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.

Reviews for The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups

""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, The Power of Regret, and To Sell Is Human ""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


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