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Peernovation Second Edition: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams. is all about how teams, and more specifically, peer groups, can dramatically level up both personal and organizational performance. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The original edition, published in 2020, was based on my working with about 125 groups and teams, and today that number has eclipsed 800. Suffice it to say, I have learned quite a bit over those years, and it was time to share it. Second, the first book didn’t emphasize the three dynamics found in high-performing groups nearly enough, so it became necessary to elaborate on what they can mean to any organization. Finally, if there was ever a time in human history when organizations could benefit more from these principles and practices, it’s now. Your review and the early Amazon reviews of the book have been incredibly positive, and I appreciate that. However, I am most gratified by the descriptions of the content as uniquely human, practical, and actionable. That’s what it’s all about and what may ultimately determine whether today’s leaders consider embracing it.
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
This second edition of Peernovation stands on the shoulders of my previous three books, The Power of Peers (2016), What Anyone Can Do (2018), and Peernovation (2020). It is informed by spending more than a decade reviewing the academic literature and learning from the wisdom and experiences of dedicated forum leaders, scholars, group members, and team leaders. The content leans heavily on the disciplines of collaborative learning theory, psychological safety, group dynamics, accountability, organizational culture, and systems thinking – building a bridge between the proven practices that have emerged from CEO Forums and what it will take to lead higher-performing, happier teams in today’s workplace.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Here are some of the specific concepts: The highest-performing CEO Forums across the globe have 1) a mechanism for continuous improvement (The Learning-Achieving Cycle), 2) they realize both intentional and collateral learning (what we learn from how we learn), and 3) they have the benefit of a servant leader who is a part of the team and not apart from it. Because none of these things happen by putting a bunch of people in a room and hoping for the best, it takes the five factors: 1) having the right people, 2) a high level of psychological safety, 3) a focus on productivity, 4) a culture of accountability where people accept personal responsibility for bringing their best, and 5) a servant leader who is a part of the team, yet serves as the steward of the first four factors. Peernovation is not a prescription; it’s a framework. All we’re doing is using models within this framework to leverage the power of peers, unlock the gifts that already exist in your organization, and direct that energy to whatever goal you wish to achieve. It works because, rather than being told what to do, your employees own the solutions and their associated action items, and they accept personal responsibility for bringing their best every day.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Peernovation?
We’re stronger and better when we do it together, yet the power of we begins with each of us.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
Peernovation Second Edition: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams.
Leo Bottary’s Peernovation is all about how teams, and more specifically, peer groups, can dramatically level up both personal and organizational performance. It’s got a clear message: we’re better together. Drawing on real-world experiences, psychological safety, servant leadership, and systems thinking, Bottary lays out how to transform “me” into “we” and turn groups into thriving, innovative teams. He builds his case with heartfelt stories, solid frameworks, and a whole lot of humanity. This isn’t another cold, data-heavy management book, it’s warm, real, and surprisingly inspiring.
I found the chapter about siloed thinking to be fascinating. The author tells a story about school systems teaching in isolation, history in one box, science in another, and how that same mindset creeps into corporate life, where departments barely talk to each other. Bottary doesn’t just point out the problem; he walks us through how learning together, sharing ideas, and being vulnerable with your peers can smash those silos. His anecdote about his experience in a learning cohort at Seton Hall was especially powerful. He went in with a “me” mentality and came out transformed by the group. That honesty made me trust him and made me reflect on my own journey as a teammate.
Then there’s the chapter on psychological safety, which deserves to be mentioned. It’s easy to toss around terms like “safe space,” but Bottary really gets into what that means in action. He talks about how leaders set the tone and how the best teams allow people to screw up, speak up, and be real. There’s a moment where he writes about people being more likely to ask “How are you?” than “What have you done for me lately?” in the midst of the pandemic. That kind of leadership, the kind that sees people first, isn’t just nice, it’s essential. Bottary argues that without that trust, you can’t innovate. And you sure as hell can’t grow.
And let’s not skip over the systems thinking part. At first, I was bracing for buzzwords, but this chapter surprised me. He tells the story of Apollo 13 and how engineers had to figure out how to put a square peg in a round hole, literally, to save the crew. It’s gripping. And it’s the perfect metaphor for what peer-driven innovation (aka “Peernovation”) looks like: people using limited resources, leaning on each other, thinking big-picture, and solving problems together. He even uses systems archetypes like “Tragedy of the Commons” to show how resource sharing can fall apart without mutual understanding.
Peernovation is a mindset shift. It’s a nudge to show up for your team differently. If you’re a leader, manager, coach, or even just someone who’s tired of Zoom calls that feel like you’re shouting into the void, this book is for you. Bottary gives you more than a framework; he gives you a reason to believe that collaboration isn’t just efficient; it’s deeply human. I finished it feeling both smarter and more connected.
Pages: 296 | ASIN : B0F37KF6HR
We Learn Better Together
What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write Power of Peers: How the Company You Keep Drives Leadership, Growth, and Success?
During a company rebranding initiative for Vistage Worldwide in 2013, we asked CEOs and business leaders how they approached learning, growing, and bringing new ideas to their companies. To a person, we would hear responses such as, “I read books, listen to podcasts, have a coach, hire consultants, attend events and conferences, engage in executive leadership development programs at places like Harvard and Stanford, etc.” No one identified peer advisory groups or forums as being in their consideration set. We understood the power of peer advisory groups for business leaders, yet we know that when you compare the number of leaders who are in groups to those who could be, the gulf was massive. Rather than write a hardcover brochure, so to speak, about Vistage, we aimed higher. We approached this from a category perspective, examining peer advisory groups everywhere so that our readers could see the value, decide if it’s right for them, and join the group that best meets their needs.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Who you surround yourself with matters,
We learn better together.
Together, we give each other the courage, encouragement, and confidence to apply what we learn.
No one who succeeds in this world does it alone.
The good news is you don’t have to.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about peer relationships?
Two things: First, I can’t learn from my peers because they don’t know any more than I do. Second, I can’t learn from people who work outside of my industry sector. It doesn’t take more than reading our book or going to one peer advisory group meeting to dispel both of these misconceptions.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
We would like people to see the value of peer advisory groups – how they can help the readers and make the world a better place.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website
The Power of Peers: How the Company You Keep Drives Leadership, Growth & Success
Power of Peers: How the Company You Keep Drives Leadership, Growth, and Success by Leon Shapiro and Leo Bottary offers an incisive exploration of the intrinsic value of peer relationships in the echelons of executive leadership. The oft-quoted sentiment, “It’s lonely at the top,” is the reality for many leaders and corporate executives. Shapiro and Bottary’s work presents a compelling argument for the formation of supportive peer communities, emphasizing the significance of interpersonal connections even at the highest levels of leadership.
In this work, they delve into a seldom discussed but critical topic, igniting an insightful discourse on how peer interactions shape the trajectory of executive decision-making and overall leadership dynamics. They eloquently dispel the perception that corporate leaders are insulated from the need for social interaction and peer support, offering a more nuanced perspective on leadership’s human side.
Power of Peers is neatly partitioned into three sections, each focusing on the facets of peer influence, the conditions for peer advantage, and leading with peer advantage. Each chapter unveils a valuable life lesson, applicable beyond the realms of corporate boardrooms and echoing into our daily personal interactions. Shapiro and Bottary’s methodical and well-researched approach lends credibility and depth to their arguments. They skillfully incorporate real-world examples to demonstrate the tangible impact of peer relationships on leadership outcomes, thus making their content accessible and engaging for a broad spectrum of readers.
The core message of Power of Peers centers on the transformative potential of peer influence and strategies for nurturing it. Shapiro and Bottary persuasively articulate that peer influence is not confined to the leadership sphere; everyone can derive immense benefit from it. Their insights are woven together meticulously, emanating from in-depth research, individual and group experiences, astute observations, and a wealth of accumulated knowledge.
Throughout the book, the authors employ visual aids like diagrams and tables to elucidate even the most complex subjects, reinforcing their knack for reader engagement and knowledge dissemination. Readers are likely to appreciate Shapiro and Bottary for their versatility, knowledge, and adeptness at connecting with diverse audiences through their writing.
Power of Peers stands out for its factual accuracy and enlightening lessons on the nuances of networking. Its chapters abound with quotable wisdom and inspirational nuggets that are sure to resonate with readers. If you seek to understand the essence of peer power and how to harness it, this book is a must-read. From problem-solving, business management, personal growth, and achieving success to connecting with your humanity as a leader, Shapiro and Bottary cover a wide array of peer-related themes comprehensively.
Pages: 208 | ASIN : B01M8IH691
The Power of We Begins With Me
Peernovation helps readers build high performing teams with a system that is easy to follow and understand. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I’ve been studying high-performing peer advisory groups for more than a decade, and it’s clearer to me now more than ever that teams have a great deal to learn from what these groups do so well. During a time in our history when we need to focus on cooperation and collaboration, I felt it was important to write this book.
You are a thought leader on peer advantage and Peernovation. How has your professional experience helped you write this book?
I’ve led my own small companies and subsidiaries, worked with senior-level executive cohorts in academic settings, played a leadership role at Vistage (which assembles and facilitates peer advisory groups for senior-level executives in 20 countries), and facilitated more than 160 workshops with CEOs and business leaders throughout North America and the UK – a healthy combination of personal experiences, academic study, and practical fieldwork.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about teams?
Most people don’t necessarily understand how powerful they are to make their team better. I listen to people who complain about their team as if they don’t recognize that they are part of the team they are dissing.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
A central tenet of Peernovation is that the power of we begins with me. Whether you are the leader of your team or a leader in your team, you are not just there to fill a spot – you are there to make a difference!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn
Leo Bottary follows up on his two earlier books about leveraging the power of peers in business and in life. With its roots in CEO and executive peer groups, the team-building framework presented in these pages is designed for leaders who want to coach engaged, adaptable, and higher-performing teams. Peernovation embraces lessons from more than a decade of academic research, fieldwork, and personal experiences throughout North America and the United Kingdom. Whether you’re a team leader or team member, learn how to:
select the right people for your team
create psychological safety and inspire greater productivity
build a positive culture of accountability
become a better team leader
foster a robust learning-achieving cycle
If you believe “the power of we begins with me” and that meeting future challenges will require building the best teams possible, then Peernovation is for you.
Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-Performing Teams
![Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-Performing Teams by [Leo Bottary]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41m5EB1CHJL.jpg)
There is nothing like the willingness of a group to work together to become a single unit working toward a common goal. The importance of group work is ingrained in us from an early age–from elementary school reading groups to cohorts in high school and college. Purpose-driven peer groups yield more than just an outstanding product; they mold and shape members along the way.
Leo Bottary, author of Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-performing Teams, sets forth five factors common to all high-performing peer groups as well as the process of turning individuals into a finely-tuned team. From cover to cover, Bottary lays out a framework for readers highlighted by quotes, excerpts from movies, and real-life examples of teams and peer groups that hit the mark time and time again. I was especially impacted by the scenario Bottary presents on pg. 25. The image of a lone woman trying to applaud fiercely in a room full of her peers stands in stark contrast to what happens when there is a room full of members working together to fill the room with thunderous ovation. What could, otherwise, be a dry and boring topic to absorb becomes a fascinating read filled with tips readers can take away and put to immediate use.
As a teacher who has used peer groups in my classroom for over 20 years, I can see the value of Bottary’s concepts. Not only does the author make clear the importance of careful selection of group members, but he drives home the fact that dedication to purpose and attention to group members’ contributions are both high priorities.
Leo Bottary’s Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-performing Teams is a quick, engaging, and informative read that gives readers exactly what they are looking for without beating around the proverbial bush. Bottary emphasizes that one thing remains the same no matter the age of its members or the goal of the group: peer groups, when carefully selected and with all members invested, get the job done and done effectively.
Pages: 152 | ASIN: B08LPFPMTQ
Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-performing Teams – Book Trailer
Peer-no-va-tion (pir-n-v-shn) combines the words peer (people like me) and innovation (creativity realized). It’s teamwork of the highest order.
Leo Bottary follows up on his two earlier books about leveraging the power of peers in business and in life. With its roots in CEO and executive peer groups, the team-building framework presented in these pages is designed for leaders who want to coach engaged, adaptable, and higher-performing teams. Peernovation embraces lessons from more than a decade of academic research, fieldwork, and personal experiences throughout North America and the United Kingdom. Whether you’re a team leader or team member, learn how to:
- select the right people for your team
- create psychological safety and inspire greater productivity
- build a positive culture of accountability
- become a better team leader
- foster a robust learning-achieving cycle
If you believe “the power of we begins with me” and that meeting future challenges will require building the best teams possible, then Peernovation is for you.
LITERARY TITAN 