At a recent conference, Isabel Evans delivered an inspiring keynote on the Myth of Genius. Her main point? The label “genius” is often misleading. Few individuals achieve greatness alone.

Even those seen as lone geniuses usually:

  • Work in teams behind the scenes
  • Borrow or build on others’ ideas
  • Have support from people who help them bring ideas to life

Isabel argued that true genius is often teamwork in action, a perspective I fully agree with.

Genius, Ideas, and Creativity

The word “genius” comes from Latin, meaning:

  • “Guided by spirit”
  • “Generative power”

We often think of genius as a magical ability to produce ideas effortlessly. But in reality, creativity comes from noticing, observing, and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas.

Creativity is bringing ideas to life. Ideas alone aren’t enough – they need action, experimentation, and iteration to become valuable. Many people have ideas, but only a few commit to creating something from them.

As Rick Rubin, legendary music producer, notes: creativity isn’t a birthright. It’s something anyone can tune into by being open to possibility, observation, and wonder. Steven Pressfield describes it similarly – ideas float around waiting for someone to notice and act.

Breakthroughs often happen simultaneously because the ideas, technology, and knowledge are ready and waiting. The key is noticing them, combining them creatively, and turning them into something tangible.

The Role of Teams in Creativity

Good teams innovate because:

  • They share and respect ideas openly
  • They observe the world and gather insights
  • They communicate and collaborate effectively
  • They bring diversity of thought, experience, and intelligence

Teams create the environment where ideas can thrive. When individuals notice opportunities and contribute their energy, creativity becomes a collective force.

Rick Rubin emphasizes slowing down to observe and notice. In doing so, we see things we would otherwise overlook – a critical skill in creativity and leadership.

Lessons for Work and Leadership

The combination of observation, openness, and action fuels innovation. Genius isn’t just an individual trait – it’s about teams noticing, combining, and creating together.

Thank you, Isabel, for a thought-provoking keynote. Your insights reinforce that the art of noticing is at the heart of both creativity and effective leadership.

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