How to Create High-Performing, High-Trust Teams with Dr. Colin Fisher

How to Create High-Performing, High-Trust Teams with Dr. Colin Fisher

From Abel James Show by Abel James

March 26, 2026 · 1h 1m

About this episode

Dr. Colin Fisher discusses the science of group dynamics and how to create high-performing teams.

Have you ever sat in a pointless meeting wondering, " what am I even doing here? ' Imagine if meeting up with fellow humans felt less like a slow-motion train wreck… and more like a great jam session —where everyone’s locked in, connected, and creating something truly inspirational none of you could have created alone. Some call this concept the mastermind , when your group becomes more than the sum of its parts, creating something altogether much more expansive and, at its best, transcendent . On today’s show, we’re here with Dr. Colin Fisher , professor, jazz trumpet player, and author of The Collective Edge, talking about the real science of group dynamics, creativity, and leadership. Dr. Fisher has spent his career studying why some teams become far more than the sum of their parts… while others spiral into dysfunction, groupthink, and soul‑sucking meetings that could have easily been an email. If you’ve ever watched a brilliant team of superstars underperform and fail spectacularly, this conversation will give you a totally new lens on how human dynamics actually work , and how to build teams that launch you into the stratosphere. In this episode, we dig into: How to handle…

People in this episode

Host: Abel James

Guest: Dr. Colin Fisher

Topics covered

  • team dynamics
  • leadership
  • creativity
  • group performance
  • collaboration

Keywords

  • team performance
  • groupthink
  • jazz improvisation
  • trust
  • collaboration

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Collective Edge

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