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Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation
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 leaders—and the leadership—it takes to make this innovation happen successfully?
Yes, we do. 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 in Genius at Scale, the authors present stories of such leaders in fascinating detail, not only igniting your imagination but providing inspiring and instructive models to follow. Hill's award-winning last book, Collective Genius, began the crucial task of showing how successful innovation doesn't just happen—it needs to be led. Now, Genius at Scale breaks new ground, highlighting that moving from generating new ideas to actually scaling them involves co-creation—collaborating, experimenting, and learning with others both inside and beyond the boundaries of the organization. This requires three distinct types of leadership mindset and
Leader as shaping culture and capabilities for co-creationLeader as building partnerships across groups and organizationsLeader as cultivating and activating movements across ecosystems
The authors vividly profile these three types of leaders with individuals from all kinds of companies, across private and public sectors—from high tech to hospitals to consumer products—who illustrate the mindset and skills needed for leading in a world more uncertain and challenging than ever before.
Genius at Scale provides an essential guide for any current or aspiring leader in mastering the art and practice of 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 leaders—and the leadership—it takes to make this innovation happen successfully?
Yes, we do. 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 in Genius at Scale, the authors present stories of such leaders in fascinating detail, not only igniting your imagination but providing inspiring and instructive models to follow. Hill's award-winning last book, Collective Genius, began the crucial task of showing how successful innovation doesn't just happen—it needs to be led. Now, Genius at Scale breaks new ground, highlighting that moving from generating new ideas to actually scaling them involves co-creation—collaborating, experimenting, and learning with others both inside and beyond the boundaries of the organization. This requires three distinct types of leadership mindset and
Leader as shaping culture and capabilities for co-creationLeader as building partnerships across groups and organizationsLeader as cultivating and activating movements across ecosystems
The authors vividly profile these three types of leaders with individuals from all kinds of companies, across private and public sectors—from high tech to hospitals to consumer products—who illustrate the mindset and skills needed for leading in a world more uncertain and challenging than ever before.
Genius at Scale provides an essential guide for any current or aspiring leader in mastering the art and practice of innovation.
- GenresBusinessLeadership
320 pages, Hardcover
Published March 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 15, 2026
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.
March 16, 2026
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.
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May 5, 2026"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...
May 17, 2026
“Genius at Scale” explores how companies can build innovation systems that work continuously instead of relying on isolated moments of creativity. The authors argue that innovation is not about one visionary leader — it is about creating an environment where collective intelligence can operate at scale.
The book combines research, leadership frameworks, and practical business examples from global organisations. Its core message is that modern companies must design systems that encourage experimentation, collaboration, and adaptability if they want to remain competitive.
Three key learning points:
Innovation is a system, not a department
The book explains that innovation should not sit inside a single team. Every part of the organisation must contribute ideas, feedback, and experimentation. Companies that scale innovation successfully embed it into daily operations.
Leadership should enable, not control
The authors highlight that strong innovation leaders do not micromanage creativity. Instead, they create conditions where teams can challenge assumptions, test ideas quickly, and learn from failure without fear.
Collaboration creates scalable intelligence
One of the strongest insights is that breakthrough ideas usually emerge from diverse teams working together. Businesses that encourage cross-functional collaboration outperform organisations where departments operate in isolation.
Overall, “Genius at Scale” is a strong read for founders, executives, and innovation managers who want to build organisations capable of adapting and growing in rapidly changing markets.
The book combines research, leadership frameworks, and practical business examples from global organisations. Its core message is that modern companies must design systems that encourage experimentation, collaboration, and adaptability if they want to remain competitive.
Three key learning points:
Innovation is a system, not a department
The book explains that innovation should not sit inside a single team. Every part of the organisation must contribute ideas, feedback, and experimentation. Companies that scale innovation successfully embed it into daily operations.
Leadership should enable, not control
The authors highlight that strong innovation leaders do not micromanage creativity. Instead, they create conditions where teams can challenge assumptions, test ideas quickly, and learn from failure without fear.
Collaboration creates scalable intelligence
One of the strongest insights is that breakthrough ideas usually emerge from diverse teams working together. Businesses that encourage cross-functional collaboration outperform organisations where departments operate in isolation.
Overall, “Genius at Scale” is a strong read for founders, executives, and innovation managers who want to build organisations capable of adapting and growing in rapidly changing markets.
March 15, 2026
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
May 17, 2026
I really appreciated the deep dive stories of how different individuals / teams / communities had a strong impact.
Well researched, easy to read and simple concepts that can be leveraged in every day life.
Well researched, easy to read and simple concepts that can be leveraged in every day life.
May 20, 2026
Excellent book. I've been an entrepreneur (including 2x exits) and a corporate manager during my career. This is one of the best books on innovation that I've come across in a while. It's both interesting and practical.
April 26, 2026
One of the best books that I've read on innovation in years. Both inspiring and practical.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews