Jack Goncalo joined the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations as an Assistant Professor in August 2004. He received his Ph.D. in Business Administration in 2004, an M.S. in Organizational Behavior in 2001 and a B.A. in Psychology in 1999, all from the University of California at Berkeley. Although most research in Organizational Behavior emphasizes the value of being a "team player" his research suggests that in order to spark creativity, organizations should emphasize individualistic norms and individual achievement. His research has been published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Management Science, Creativity Research Journal and the European Journal of Social Psychology. It has also been featured on CNN and US News and World Report.
According to Prof. Jack Goncalo, one of the challenges that leaders face is how to foster creative potential. His research supports the position that how leaders maintain momentum and make sure their organizations are dynamic and creative is determined by where they fall on the continuum from individualism to collectivism.