Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation

by Linda A. Hill, Emily Tedards, JASON WILD

Innovation doesn't just happen. You need to lead it. Discover the three critical roles leaders must play in driving—and scaling—innovation.

Constant tech disruption. Unrelenting economic volatility. Radically shifting demographics and work norms. More than ever, we need to innovate amid these daunting global challenges. But do we have the leadership it takes to make this innovation happen successfully?

As preeminent leadership scholar Linda Hill, Harvard researcher Emily Tedards, and former Microsoft innovation executive Jason Wild show in this powerful book, there are indeed exemplary leaders to learn from—and the authors present their stories in fascinating detail, not only igniting your imagination but providing instructive and inspiring models to follow. Hill's award-winning book Collective Genius began the crucial task of showing that successful innovation doesn't just happen—it needs to be led. Genius at Scale breaks new ground, showing how moving from generating new ideas to actually scaling them involves cocreation—collaborating, experimenting, and learning with others both inside and beyond the boundaries of the organization. This requires three distinct types of

Leader as shaping culture and capabilities for cocreationLeader as building partnerships across teams and organizationsLeader as activating and cultivating movements across ecosystems

The authors vividly profile these three types of leaders with individuals from all kinds of companies—from Mastercard, Pfizer, and Procter & Gamble to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Sampark Foundation, and ANA spinoff avatarin—who illustrate the mindset, skills, and digital savvy needed for leading in a world more uncertain and challenging than ever before.

Genius at Scale provides an essential guide to mastering the art and practice of innovation for any current or aspiring leader.

Genres: Leadership, Business

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Steve Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have selected this book as Stevo's Business Book of the Week for the week of 3/15, as it stands heads above other recently published books on this topic.

[Joline Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genius at Scale makes Genius accessible to anyone in a company, a nonprofit--or a family--intent on making change and/or leading innovation. Filled with engrossing stories and profiles of people who follow their inner voice--AND have qualities (referred to as architects, bridgers, and catalysts--ABCs) the reader can use to identify their own strengths and capacities. This is a book that is both a great read and a source of inspiration. Makes an inspirational gift for dreamers and doers; as well as a blueprint for anyone on the brink of a new venture.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that combines strong scholarship, of course as a Harvard Business Review book, but what surprised was how easy and interesting it was to read. Each chapter tells the story of a leader or at times leaders at different organizations and companies. The stories are rich with powerful examples and actionable ideas. Really felt like I was there with the leaders….the level of detail of a business fiction book while true and told by world-class academic and a seasoned practitioner

[Andrew Hill]

"Hill and her co-authors provide inspirational proof of how collective effort and constructive collaboration can trump top-down directives to achieve large-scale change" - my FT review https://as.ft.com/r/9312bb09-176c-44e...

[Robert Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books that I've read on innovation in years. Both inspiring and practical.