S14 E4 Unlocking Team Intelligence with Jon Levy: Rethinking Leadership, Collaboration, and the Power of Glue Players

FOMO Sapiens with Patrick J. McGinnis

What really makes a team successful? Is it star power, charisma, sheer talent, or something else entirely? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks with behavioral scientist and author Jon Levy about his groundbreaking work on leadership and team intelligence. Levy challenges conventional wisdom by debunking the “alpha leader” myth, tracing its roots back to a misinterpretation of wolf behavior, and exposing how toxic individualism can undermine entire organizations. Levy also introduces the idea of “glue players”—individuals who may not have standout stats but dramatically elevate everyone else’s performance. From the pitfalls of too much talent to the benefits of “bursty communication,” this episode reframes how we should think about leadership and teamwork. If you’ve ever led a team or been part of one, you’ll want to hear these unconventional rules for unlocking collective genius.

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