Leo Bottary is a renowned author, keynote speaker, and the founder and managing partner of Peernovation, LLC, dedicated to fostering high-performing teams and peer collaboration. His groundbreaking work explores how leveraging peer relationships drives personal and organizational success. Leo’s books include the critically acclaimed Peernovation: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams (Second Edition, 2025), as well as The Power of Peers, The One Advantage, and What Anyone Can Do.
A sought-after thought leader and international speaker, Leo is an adjunct professor at Rutgers University and an opinion columnist and advisory board member for CEOWORLD Magazine. Earlier in his career, he founded a successful public relations agency and held senior leadership roles at Mullen and Hill & Knowlton.
Leo earned a BA from Jacksonville University, an MA in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University, and completed doctoral coursework at Northeastern University. His visionary approach to collaboration is redefining teamwork and leadership on a global scale.
This one-on-one interview shares Leo’s background and experience writing Peernovation: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams (Second Edition).
Tell us about Peernovation: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams (Second Edition).
What if the secret to building extraordinary teams was already within your organization?
In Peernovation: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams (Second Edition) introduces readers to a game-changing approach to teamwork that empowers both leaders and employees alike. Peernovation, which combines the words peer (people of equal standing) and innovation (creativity realized), occurs when a carefully selected, diverse collection of people with a common purpose and shared values, work together to make each other better and create something larger than themselves.
Through proven models and actionable frameworks, I reveal how to unlock the potential of your team by fostering collaboration, accountability, and ownership. Instead of simply following orders, team members take charge of solutions, driving results and continuous improvement.
So, whether you’re a CEO, team leader, or entrepreneur, this book provides the tools to unleash your team’s full potential, achieve your goals, and transform your organization. Together, let’s unleash the full potential of your team. The future of work begins here.
What inspired you to write the second edition of Peernovation?
The second edition of Peernovation delivers a powerful evolution of ideas, featuring updated content, five new chapters, a Foreword by Harvard Business School Professor and best-selling author, Amy Edmondson, and an Afterword by CEO and Executive Editor of CEOWORLD Magazine, Prof. Dr. Amarendra Bhushan Dhiraj.
Building on the foundation of the original 2020 edition, which was informed by insights from 125 groups and teams, this edition reflects lessons learned from working with over 800 groups and teams. To put it simply, I have learned a great deal over the years, and the expanded scope offers a deeper understanding of the principles that drive high-performing groups. Recognizing the need to highlight the three key dynamics that define successful teams, this edition offers fresh perspectives and actionable strategies for organizations.
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.
Third, if there has ever been a time in human history when organizations could benefit more from these principles and practices, it is now. In this era of rapid change and unprecedented challenges, this guide is for leaders seeking to unlock the transformative power of collaboration and innovation.
How did your background and experience influence your writing?
My journey to writing Peernovation is deeply rooted in a rich blend of academic and professional experience. I’ve spent 17 years as an adjunct professor leading peer-to-peer cohorts, earning honors, including Seton Hall’s Adjunct Teacher of the Year in 2015. My career also includes more than six years with Vistage Worldwide, where I led corporate communication and coauthored my first book on the topic, The Power of Peers. I later founded Peernovation, LLC, to help leaders maximize the value of their forum experience and apply a forum’s proven principles and practices to their organizations.
The book is informed by the wisdom and experiences of dedicated forum leaders, scholars, forum 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. It’s a culmination of my dedication to understanding what makes teams thrive and translating those insights into practical strategies for leaders everywhere.
What is one message you would like readers to remember?
True strength lies in unity, but starts with individual action. When each of us steps up and takes responsibility, we unlock the collective power of “we.”
Purchasing the Book
Peernovation: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams (Second Edition) has garnered positive reviews from renowned literary organizations, authors, and reviewers worldwide. Literary Titan writes, “Peernovation isn’t just a framework—it’s a mindset shift that transforms ‘me’ into ‘we,’ showing that collaboration isn’t just efficient; it’s deeply human.” In addition, reviewer, Jim Ristuccia writes, “Bottary brilliantly captures the magic of peer advisory groups and translates that into a practical framework any leadership team can adopt…if you’re a CEO, team leader, or just someone passionate about elevating performance through community, don’t just read this book—use it.”
The book is available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Nook, and the Google Play store. Readers are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/Peernovation-Second-Forged-Forums-Perfected/dp/1663270783
To connect with Leo and learn more about his transformative work in business, leadership, and life, visit: https://peernovation.biz/. You can also find him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
Media ContactCompany Name: Author News NetworkContact Person: Media RelationsEmail: Send EmailCountry: United StatesWebsite: authornewsnetwork.com
