Team Intelligence - by Jon Levy (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The New York Times bestselling author debunks the myths of what makes great leaders and effective teams, revealing the simple habits that help leaders unlock team intelligence.

Ever wonder why some of our most effective leaders aren't known for the skills we've been told are essential for great leadership? Would you describe Elon Musk or Steve Jobs as having empathy or humility? Of course not, and yet they've led teams that achieved extraordinary results. So, what leadership attributes, habits, and skills do cause teams to become more than the sum of their parts? Why does a team made of up superstars often underperform? What causes teams to work together effectively and produce high team intelligence?

For the past fifteen years behavioral scientist and New York Times bestselling author Jon Levy has gathered thousands of the most respected leaders from across industry--Nobel Laureates, Olympic team captains, astronauts who commanded the ISS, military leaders, and corporate CEOs--to find answers to these questions. In Team Intelligence, he unpacks the myths that hold leaders and their teams back and points out the paradox of success: focusing on creating teams that operate well is what makes an effective leader, but focusing purely on the leader does almost nothing for the team. In Team Intelligence, discover cutting-edge research, surprising stories, and the essential habits that unlock collective genius.

Review Quotes

"I love this book! I've never seen anything so simple and clear and funny at the same time. Like it or not, we're all leaders of something, so this is for you!" - John C. Mather, winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics

"This book is a manual for building high-functioning teams--on Earth or in outer space." - Terry Virts, NASA astronaut (Ret.), and former International Space Station commander, colonel of the US Air Force, and F-16 test pilot

"Team Intelligence challenges the myth of the singular leader and replaces it with the vision that when people are respected and heard, they can collaborate to achieve the extraordinary." - Princess Mabel van Oranje, serial entrepreneur for social change

"If you want podium-level results, stop managing people and start building team intelligence. This book is the blueprint for a team pursuing anything from Olympic gold to business success." - Gary Hall Jr., ten-time Olympic medalist, Olympic Hall of Fame inductee, and US Olympic team captain

"Like Professor Xavier or Optimus Prime, Jon Levy is one of those souls who makes you better in every aspect. His book gives you the gift of being the best leader you can be and bringing out the very best in those around you." - Tom DeSanto, writer-producer of X-Men and Transformers

"Team Intelligence is like a TED Talk that got tired of being polite and started telling the truth." - Roy Wood Jr., host of CNN's Have I Got News for You and former Daily Show correspondent

"I've spent my career in labs full of smart people. The teams that succeeded weren't always the smartest--they were the best at working together. This book explains why that matters." - Michael Brown, winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology

"Behind every award-winning show is a team that made it possible. Team Intelligence offers a powerful, practical guide to building those teams--when culture drives creativity, and trust is paramount." - Camille Bidermann, executive director, International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and executive producer, International Emmy Awards

"Team Intelligence breaks down the hidden systems that separate high-performing teams from merely talented ones. It's Moneyball for leadership." - Daryl Moore, president, Philadelphia 76ers

"Entertaining and practical...[Levy] chips away at conventional wisdom about success, arguing it doesn't come from getting the smartest and most talented people in the room but from developing teams that work better together than members would on their own. Throughout, Levy elucidates his insights with rich anecdotes, humor, and candor. The result is a clear standout from the pack of leadership manuals." - Publishers Weekly

"A human and congenially radical handbook for leaders seeking to prioritize intelligence, not hierarchy." - Kirkus Reviews