Manage This - The Project Management Podcast Episode 236 – From Loafing to Crushing It: The Hidden Power of Groups
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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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More People, Less Individual Effort
- Individual effort declines as group size grows because people feel lost in the crowd.
- Smaller teams keep accountability and energy higher than large groups.
Split Oversized Teams Into Subteams
- Treat groups over ~6 as small organizations and create subteams of three to six people.
- Use representatives or task forces instead of always meeting the full large group.
Set Ends, Not Means
- Define clear goals and a vivid shared vision, then let teams choose how to get there.
- Offer process advice as support, not control, to preserve autonomy and accountability.
