Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Episode 241 – Team Spirit: How to Make Group Work Work

Host: Matt Abrahams
Guest: Colin Fisher, Associate Professor, UCL School of Management
Date: November 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the secrets to making group communication and teamwork effective. Matt Abrahams interviews Colin Fisher, an expert in group dynamics, improvisation, and decision-making, and author of "The Collective: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups." Together, they discuss the science of group formation, the pitfalls and benefits of teamwork, establishing psychological safety, setting up high-functioning teams, and running more productive meetings. The conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders and team members alike seeking to build better group experiences and outcomes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Double-Edged Sword of Groups

[02:19–03:53]

• Benefits: Groups harness multiple minds and hands, enabling the accomplishment of big goals and creative synergy.
  • Colin Fisher: “Groups can be, in my mind, the pinnacle of human accomplishment.”
• Disadvantages: Groups can suppress individuality, enforce conformity (‘groupthink’), and at worst, incite tribalism and conflict.
  • Colin Fisher: “Groups can also be these engines to produce conformity, to really restrict people's individuality…”

2. Key Ingredients of Successful Teams

[03:53–06:33]

• Diversity is Crucial: Teams work best when members offer different knowledge, skills, and perspectives.
• Optimal Group Size:
  • Research points to 3–7 as the sweet spot, with 4–5 being subjectively ideal for most people.
  • Colin Fisher [05:44]: “We feel that groups are the right size between 4 and 5, and that we see performance measures be anywhere from 3 to 7. So I think those are pretty good guidelines for thinking about how big your group should be.”
• Over-inviting Hurts Synergy: Larger groups tend to stifle participation and dilute effectiveness, especially in meetings.

3. Building Psychological Safety

[07:02–08:50]

• Definition: Essential for unlocking the benefits of diversity—members must feel safe to share ideas, make mistakes, and ask questions.
• How to Build It:
  • Ask for it explicitly: State that risk-taking and sharing are expected.
  • Model it as a leader: Admit mistakes, ask “dumb” questions, try public experiments.
  • Reinforce it: Praise those who speak up and never penalize for honest contributions.
  • Colin Fisher [07:10]: “Even if we get this diverse mix… we still aren’t going to take advantage of it unless people are comfortable sharing it.”

4. Best Practices for Group Formation

[09:33–13:10]

• Early Formation is Critical: First impressions and patterns (‘sticky norms’) form fast.
• Three Essential Tasks for New Groups:
  1. Clear, Vivid Goals: Everyone must understand and visualize the end goal.
     • Colin Fisher [09:52]: “We need to have a very clear and vivid communication of that goal.”
  2. Establish Norms—Especially Communication: Early agreements on how, where, and how quickly you’ll communicate are vital (e.g., which tools to use, expected response times).
  3. Clarify Responsibilities: Set out who does what and by when before the next touchpoint.
     • Colin Fisher [12:25]: “We need to have understanding of the individual responsibilities...”

5. Making Meetings Work

[13:51–16:56]

• The Key Questions:
  1. Should the meeting happen at all?—Many meetings are unnecessary and breed disengagement.
  2. Is the right number of people invited?—Stick to core contributors, 3–7 people ideal.
  3. Is there a clear agenda and objective?
• Notable Quote:
  • Colin Fisher [14:03]: “The number one tip is not to ask, what can I do to have a better meeting, but to ask, should we have this meeting in the first place?”
  • Matt Abrahams [16:26]: “Amen. Do we need a meeting? Are there other ways to communicate? Super important first question…”

6. The Power of Listening and The Jazz Analogy

[19:03–19:54]

• Colin Fisher, reflecting on being a professional jazz trumpeter:
  • “The essence of all kinds of music really is listening… you have to keep one ear on your head and you have to take the other ear and put it over on the piano, oversee the whole interaction.”
• Listening is fundamental—not just to music, but to effective group communication.
  • Matt Abrahams [19:54]: “We think of communication as broadcasting, getting information out, but receiving it is really important.”

7. On Communication Clarity and Admired Communicators

[20:12–21:17]

• Colin Fisher admires his mentor, Richard Hackman, for making complex ideas accessible and clear (“work design” theory rather than jargon).
• Clarity and accessibility are cornerstones for effective group communication.

8. Colin’s Top Three Ingredients for Successful Communication

[21:30–22:36]

1. Ask good questions
2. Listen genuinely
3. Respond—to build and reinforce
   • Colin Fisher: “You ask questions, you listen to the answer and then you respond in ways that both show you're concerned… But then you build on it and it’s this kind of idea we find in theater improvisation of yes anding…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the dichotomy of groups:
  • Colin Fisher [03:20]: “Groups really are this dichotomy… the pinnacle of human accomplishment or they can bring out of us this kind of tribalism...”
• On group size:
  • Colin Fisher [05:44]: “We feel that groups are the right size between 4 and 5, and… performance measures be anywhere from 3 to 7.”
• On the leader’s role in psychological safety:
  • Colin Fisher [08:17]: “If you're a leader, for you to admit your own mistakes, for you to ask questions that you might worry are dumb questions…”
• On launching a new group:
  • Colin Fisher [11:05]: “The most important things... are norms about communication. How are we going to communicate with one another?”
• On meetings:
  • Colin Fisher [14:03]: “The number one tip is… should we have this meeting in the first place?”

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 02:19 | Benefits and perils of group work | | 04:28 | Key factors for effective teams | | 05:44 | Ideal group size research findings | | 07:10 | Building psychological safety | | 09:33 | Best practices for forming groups | | 13:51 | How to run effective meetings | | 19:21 | Jazz, listening, and group work | | 20:12 | Admired communicators and communication clarity | | 21:30 | Top three ingredients for successful communication |

Summary Flow

• The episode dynamic is conversational but expert, with Matt Abrahams drawing out both actionable tips and the thinking behind group best practices from Colin Fisher.
• Listeners are left with specific numbers (e.g., group size), clear frameworks (vivid goals, communication norms, role clarity), and practical wisdom about group process (build psychological safety, think before you meet, foster listening above all).
• The tone stays approachable and pragmatic, focused on what real teams and leaders can actually use tomorrow.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Compose teams thoughtfully: Focus on diversity but keep group size manageable (3–7).
• Build psychological safety: Model risk-taking and openness as a leader; explicitly invite it from all.
• Set up for success: Start new groups with clear, vivid goals, explicit communication norms, and defined responsibilities.
• Rethink meetings: Cancel what isn’t needed and keep attendees to essential contributors.
• Listen deeply: Whether in music or meetings, true group progress begins with genuine listening.
• Communicate with clarity: Avoid jargon, define terms simply, and make objectives accessible to all.
• Follow the formula: Ask questions, listen, and build in every group exchange.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who seeks to unlock the potential of groups—whether leading a team, joining a project, or dreading their next meeting.