On Feb 4th 2026, we hosted our first CROZ mit Freunden round table in Munich, bringing together selected guests for an open and thought-provoking discussion. The central theme – Collective, also the focus of QED conference 2026 (May 10–12, Zadar, Croatia), sparked a dynamic exchange on what it truly means to operate beyond a traditional team.
The discussion raised some fundamental questions:
- What does it really take to be a collective?
- What is the difference between a team and a collective?
- Does a collective undermine individuality – or strengthen it?
After attempting to define the concept of a collective (which proved to be no easy task), we explored the topic on both a personal level (values, goals, safety, belonging), and an organizational level, including size, team dynamics, and change.
Taleb’s key concepts
This naturally led us to several of Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s key concepts.
Antifragility, contrasted with robustness and resilience, sparked questions such as:
Is the stage we are in defined by ourselves, or by the forces applied to us?
Can everything, and everyone, become fragile at some point, regardless of preparation?
The concept of Skin in the Game, centered on the idea that decision-makers should also bear the consequences, opened an equally rich discussion:
- Who carries responsibility when decisions are made collectively?
- Is there such a thing as collective liability?
- And what does “bearing consequences” really mean – is it only financial, or does it also include reputation, mental and physical well-being?
Living in an era shaped by Black Swan events, which continuously test the antifragility of organizations, is now part of our everyday business reality. This makes it even more important to reflect on the responsibility we carry when introducing major disruptors, such as AI, into society.
Key Takeaways
- A collective requires shared ownership – not just shared goals
- Antifragility is a practical business mindset
- Collective decisions demand clarity around responsibility
Looking Ahead
The evening achieved its goal: an impressive set of questions and open topics emerged, providing strong inspiration for the upcoming QED conference, and for Taleb’s keynote.
Registrations are now open, with early bird tickets available until the end of March. We look forward to continuing the conversation!