Superstars Won't Save You: The Surprising Secret to Building a Winning Team

Companies have been misled about the key qualities of successful leaders, according to behavioral scientist and author Jon Levy, who researched the topic for his new book. Levy found that the emphasis on traits like courage, creativity, and resilience as essential for leaders is not supported by evidence. Instead, he argues that companies should focus on hiring "glue" employees, who are team players with strong social skills and the ability to build relationships. Levy's research suggests that companies have been prioritizing the wrong qualities in their leaders, often at the expense of more effective and collaborative team members. "We've been sold this bill by all the major consultancies and all the major university MBA programs that here are these essential skills, and if I want to be a leader, I need to develop myself in all these ways," Levy said in an interview. "I'm just never going to be able to accomplish it. What's really frustrating about that is that it pushes all these people who could be fantastic leaders out." Levy's findings are based on his study of successful teams and leaders, including those in the business world, sports, and the arts. He argues that the emphasis on individual traits like courage and creativity can create a culture of competition and individualism, rather than collaboration and teamwork. "When we focus on these individual traits, we're creating a culture that says, 'I'm a star, and I'm going to shine brighter than everyone else,'" Levy said. "But the reality is that most of the time, the most successful teams are the ones that have a strong sense of cohesion and collaboration." In contrast, "glue" employees are team players who are able to build relationships and work effectively with others. They are often overlooked in favor of more charismatic or high-achieving individuals, but Levy argues that they are essential to the success of any team. "Glue" employees are not necessarily the most talented or accomplished individuals, but they are able to bring people together and create a sense of unity and purpose. Levy's research has implications for companies looking to build successful teams and leaders. Rather than focusing on individual traits like courage and creativity, companies should prioritize the qualities that make for effective team players, such as social skills, empathy, and the ability to build relationships. By doing so, companies can create a culture of collaboration and teamwork that is more likely to lead to success. As Levy notes, the emphasis on individual traits has been a long-standing part of business culture, dating back to the days of management gurus like Peter Drucker and Tom Peters. However, Levy's research suggests that this approach is no longer effective in today's fast-paced and interconnected business world. "We need to rethink our approach to leadership and focus on the qualities that really matter," Levy said. "We need to create a culture that values collaboration and teamwork, rather than individual achievement." The implications of Levy's research are far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how companies will respond to his findings. However, one thing is clear: the traditional approach to leadership is no longer effective, and companies need to adapt to the changing needs of the modern business world.