Groups are the foundation of everything we accomplish in work and life.

Yet, as every manager knows, collaborating with others can be both the greatest strength and one of the hardest challenges.

What makes some teams thrive while others struggle with friction and disengagement?

Fortunately, this week’s guest, Dr. Colin Fisher, has dedicated his career to uncovering the hidden processes that make groups effective.

Colin is an associate professor of organizations and innovation at University College London’s School of Management, a researcher featured in outlets like Harvard Business Review and BBC, and the author of The Collective Edge. His work sheds light on how managers can structure and guide their teams to harness the true power of collaboration.

In this episode, Colin explores the dynamics that shape effective teamwork, from setting clear goals to designing the right team structure, establishing norms, and fostering psychological safety.

Whether you’re leading a small project team or a large organization, you’ll gain practical insights on how to unlock your group’s collective potential.

Join the conversation now!

Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Introduction
• (03:47) Why groups matter more than individual effort
• (07:02) The benefits of teamwork beyond accomplishing tasks
• (09:52) Two key levers to designing effective teamwork
• (13:42) Why structure matters more than pep talks
• (18:30) The critical elements of team composition, size, and boundaries
• (22:10) How to set goals that are clear, challenging, and consequential
• (26:50) Establishing effective norms for communication and psychological safety
• (29:21) About Colin’s book and where to find more resources
• (31:05) [Extended Episode Only] Resetting your team’s culture when things feel stuck

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Keep up with Colin Fisher

- Follow Colin on X (Twitter) here

- Connect with Colin on LinkedIn here

- Follow Colin on Instagram here

- Visit Colin’s website here

- Check out his book The Collective Edge here

Bonus: Meeting Makeover guidebook

In lieu of a guest offer this week, I’m offering members of Podcast+ access to my brand-new Meeting Makeover guidebook. It’s a step-by-step workbook that empowers you to finally fix your bad meetings once and for all.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

What if your greatest strength as a leader isn’t your expertise but your ability to lead people who are completely different from you?

In today’s diverse workplaces, managers can’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Understanding how to adapt your leadership to different personalities, backgrounds, and working styles is key to building high-performing teams because, let’s be honest, everyone is different from you.

Thankfully, today’s guest brings decades of wisdom on how to do it well, sharing practical strategies for inclusive, effective leadership.

Stephanie Chung is an international bestselling author, strategic innovator, and expert in human capital management with more than 30 years of experience turning challenges into opportunities.

She shares why understanding privilege isn’t about guilt but about using what you have to serve others, and how her ALLY framework (Ask, Listen, Learn, and Act Yourself) helps leaders embrace curiosity, build stronger relationships, and unlock the power of truly diverse teams.

✨In the extended episode for members, Stephanie goes deeper into the EARN approach and how to create engaged, high-performing, diverse teams.

Become a member of Podcast Plus for extended episodes, guest bonuses, and more at themodernmanager.com/more

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Introduction: The Uniqueness of Individuals
• (00:35) Meet Stephanie Chung: A Force in Business Growth
• (01:11) Understanding Differences in the Workplace
• (05:22) The Concept of Privilege in Leadership
• (09:25) Leveraging Privilege to Empower Teams
• (19:00) The Power of Curiosity in Leadership
• (21:55) Creating Inclusive and Effective Teams
• (28:51) Conclusion: Embracing Diversity for Success
• (31:12) [Extended Episode Only] Stephanie shares the EARN approach to building teams.

Additional Resources

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/

✨Level up your skills: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=
✨Read the transcript here

Keep Up With Stephanie Chung
- Follow Stephanie on LinkedIn here
- Follow her on Instagram here
- Like her on Facebook here
- Follow her on TikTok here
- Learn more on her Website here
- Watch her speaker reel on YouTube Shorts:@thestephaniechung
- Subscribe to her Newsletter here

Guest Bonus: 3 Book Giveaway: Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You.
Stephanie is giving away three copies of her book Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You. This book is not just about traditional leadership; it's about revolutionizing leadership practices to be more effective in a rapidly changing corporate world. This issue transcends categories of race, gender, sexual orientation, different abilities, and age - it's a universal concern that affects everyone.

👉To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community: https://themodernmanager.com/more

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.

Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!

Most workplaces are designed with extroverts in mind, with open offices, constant collaboration, and fast-paced discussions. But this often leaves introverts struggling to fully contribute, even though their insights can be some of the most valuable.

Thankfully, today’s guest, Salvatore Manzi, brings clarity and solutions.

Salvatore is a leadership communications coach and the author of Clear and Compelling. With over 20 years of experience helping leaders amplify their influence, he specializes in equipping teams to communicate more effectively and harness the strengths of both introverts and extroverts.

In this episode, Salvatore shares how to design team practices that give introverts the space they need to thrive, including meeting structures, pre-work, and ways to balance workplace energy. You’ll also learn how to recognize and encourage quiet leadership, so managers of all styles can succeed.

In the extended conversation, Salvatore explores how to “break the seal” to engage introverts early, why metaphors can be a powerful communication tool, and additional strategies for fostering inclusive, high-performing teams.

✨Get FREE episode mini-guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

👉http://www.themodernmanager.com/miniguides

Listen to the conversation now!

Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:44) Introvert vs. Extrovert Behaviors
• (06:46) The Ten Second Rule & Choosing Words Carefully
• (11:01) Why Pre-Work Levels the Playing Field
• (15:16) Managing Workplace Energy and Avoiding Burnout
• (18:23) Remote vs. In-Office Needs for Introverts
• (23:02) Quiet Leadership, Boundaries, and Preparation
• (28:00) Best Boss Ever & Lessons in Leadership
• (28:46) Keep Up with Salvatore.
• (31:12) [Extended Episode Only] Breaking the Seal: Engaging Introverts Early
• (33:47) [Extended Episode Only] Metaphors Move Minds: The Power of Imagery

📚 Additional Resources:

✨Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamieks/

✨Visit my website for more: https://www.mamieks.com/

✨Level up your skills: https://themodernmanager.com/replaybundle

✨Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7jhYz8b16g1SsLia4EhO5w?sub_confirmation=1

✨Read the transcript here

✨Check out Susan’ Cain’s book on introverts Quiet here

Keep up with Salvatore Manzi

- Connect with Salvatore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatorejmanzi/

- Get his book: https://www.salvatoremanzi.com/ccpb/

Guest bonus: 3 Free Consultations

Salvatore is giving away a free consultation to 3 members of Podcast+. This complimentary 75-minute virtual consultation (plus a 30-minute follow-up) is designed to help leaders address a real team challenge, whether it’s navigating feedback, introducing change, preparing a high-stakes presentation, or planning an off-site.

👉 To get this guest bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community: https://themodernmanager.com/more

---------------------

The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.