The collective edge Unlocking the secret power of groups

Colin M. Fisher

Book - 2025

"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 conflic...t 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."-- Provided by publisher.

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Subjects
Published
New York : Avery, an imprint of Penguin Random House [2025]
Language
English
Main Author
Colin M. Fisher (author)
Physical Description
xix, 314 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 257-304) and index.
ISBN
9780593715345
  • 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 We Can Do About Competition and Conflict
  • Section IV. Leading Groups
  • Chapter 12. The House Always Wins When to Structure and When to Coach Tour 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