Colin Fisher: The lone genius is a myth

About this episode

Colin Fisher discusses the importance of group dynamics in achieving breakthroughs and challenges the myth of the lone genius.

This is a preview of a premium episode. To listen to the full thing, visit our Susbtack: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/colin-fisher In jazz, there’s a concept called minimal structures — a rhythmic framework, a harmonic pattern, an implied order of solos. Just enough to hold the band together, but plenty of space for autonomous creativity. It’s a useful lens for thinking about how any team works, and it comes directly from today’s guest. Colin Fisher was a professional jazz trumpet player before he became one of the leading researchers on group dynamics. He’s now an Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation at University College London, with a PhD in Organizational Behavior from Harvard, and his new book is The Collective Edge. In it, he makes a case that we systematically underestimate the role groups play in every breakthrough we celebrate. We love stories about lone geniuses — Newton, Einstein, Miles Davis — but when you peel back almost any one of them, you find a group behind it. We just tend to forget that part, because our brains are wired to remember heroes, not ensembles. Ask everyone on a six-person team how much credit they deserve for the group’s output…

People in this episode

Guest: Colin Fisher

Topics covered

• group dynamics
• teamwork
• creativity
• organizational behavior
• breakthrough innovation

Keywords

• group dynamics
• teamwork
• breakthroughs
• creativity
• organizational behavior

Sponsors

Wix Studio

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University College London, Harvard

Books & works: The Collective Edge

More episodes of Design Better

• Bonus Episode: Dorrian Porter returns with the Vestaboard Note · June 11, 2026 · 39 min
• Tina Roth Eisenberg: Creative Mornings founder on building communities that run on trust · June 10, 2026 · 38 min
• Paul Ford: Writer, developer & "fun Cassandra" on why everything is changing (but not how you think) · June 3, 2026 · 26 min
• Jessie McGuire: National Design Award-winning studio leader on design as a civic tool · May 27, 2026 · 41 min
• Nir Eyal: Beyond Belief and how to change your mind to change your life · May 14, 2026 · 1h 7m
• Mason Currey: Mason Currey: Author of Daily Rituals on Making Art and Making a Living · May 6, 2026 · 27 min