Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation

Why I recommend it

Johnson looks at how ideas develop through time, connection, and shared environments. The lone moment of brilliance is only part of the story.

What it changed in my thinking

Partial ideas need room to meet and develop. We can create conditions that make those connections more likely.

Who it’s useful for

People building teams and places where creative work happens.

A tension or limitation

These patterns can look clearer after a success. Good ideas still need judgment, resources, and work.