The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast

Details With pressure mounting on managers to coach more often and more effectively, can AI offer real help—or does it risk making coaching feel robotic? In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we talk with Mark Schaff, former Principal Learning Administrator at the Orange County Transportation Authority. Mark brings decades of coaching and leadership development … Continued The post Episode 166: Can AI Be Your Coach? The Promise and Peril of AI in Leadership Development first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details What if the biggest barrier to performance isn't an individual leader—but the team itself? In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we speak with Paul Leboffe, longtime facilitator of Zenger Folkman's Extraordinary Team experience. With 25+ years of business and legal expertise, Paul has helped teams uncover blind spots, strengthen trust, and dramatically improve … Continued The post Episode 165: Stop Training Leaders Alone—The Case for Team Development first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we explore the enduring relevance of a decades-old leadership theory that feels more urgent than ever. Joe Folkman joins us to revisit Control Graph Theory—first introduced in the 1960s—and shares new research from over 200 teams showing why the total amount of influence in an organization matters … Continued The post Episode 164: Control vs. Influence—What Today's Leader's Get Wrong first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this episode of The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Bard Parnell, Senior Manager of Learning and Development at Mesa Labs, to talk about what really drives effective leadership—especially in a time of nonstop disruption. While many organizations are quick to chase the latest leadership trends, Bard shares why … Continued The post Episode 163: Staying the Course—Why Core Leadership Skills Still Matter first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this episode, we're diving into resilience—a critical skill for today's leaders—with Evelyn Swanson, Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development at Core & Main. As a leading distributor of water, sewer, storm drain, and fire protection products, Core & Main has declared this year the “Year of the Resilient Leader.” Evelyn shares valuable … Continued The post Episode 162: Building Resilient Leaders: Lessons from Core & Main first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details When the pandemic hit, many expected a decline in leadership effectiveness due to burnout, isolation, and crisis fatigue. However, surprising research from Zenger Folkman revealed just the opposite: leaders didn't deteriorate under pressure—they improved. In this insightful episode, Joe Folkman shares compelling data showing how the challenges of COVID-19 transformed leaders worldwide, enhancing their … Continued The post Episode 161: Then and Now—How the Pandemic Boosted Leadership Effectiveness first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Research shows that both giving and receiving feedback triggers stress responses similar to physical threats—but understanding these brain mechanisms can help us build better feedback cultures. Our guest today is Dr. David Rock, who coined the term “neuroleadership” and serves as Co-founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute. This 23-year-old cognitive science consultancy has … Continued The post Episode 160: Using Neuroscience to Make Feedback Work with David Rock first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Research shows that both giving and receiving feedback triggers stress responses similar to physical threats—but understanding these brain mechanisms can help us build better feedback cultures. Our guest today is Dr. David Rock, who coined the term “neuroleadership” and serves as Co-founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute. This 23-year-old cognitive science consultancy has … Continued The post Episode 160: Using Neuroscience to Make Feedback Work with David Rock first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this episode, we'll explore four distinct leadership styles—the Expert, the Connector, the Driver, and the Strategist—and reveal surprising findings about which approach yields the best results. We'll also connect Joe's research to Daniel Goleman's six leadership styles featured in last year's popular Harvard Business Review article, giving you practical insights on how to … Continued The post Episode 159: Is One Leadership Style Better Than Others? first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this episode, we'll explore four distinct leadership styles—the Expert, the Connector, the Driver, and the Strategist—and reveal surprising findings about which approach yields the best results. We'll also connect Joe's research to Daniel Goleman's six leadership styles featured in last year's popular Harvard Business Review article, giving you practical insights on how to … Continued The post Episode 159: Is One Leadership Style Better Than Others? first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Building a high-performance team isn't just about hiring the right people—it's about leading them in the right way. In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we sit down with leadership expert Jack Zenger to uncover five key behaviors that separate exceptional teams from dysfunctional ones. Based on research from over 66,000 respondents, Jack shares … Continued The post Episode 158: 5 Ways to Build a High-Performance Team first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Trust is the foundation of any high-performing team, but in today's fast-paced, uncertain business environment, building and maintaining trust has become more challenging than ever. Research shows that trust isn't just a “nice-to-have”—it's a leadership behavior that impacts everything from team collaboration to overall business performance. So, how can organizations create a culture where … Continued The post Episode 157: Team Trust at BJ's Wholesale Club with Scott Schmadeke first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Receiving feedback at work can be tough—it's natural to feel uncomfortable when you're told you're not doing something well. That doesn't make you ‘arrogant ‘ or ‘ too defensive and won't take feedback'—it means you obviously care about how you're doing at work, and that's a good thing. But what happens when the feedback … Continued The post Episode 156: What To Do When The Boss Gives You Baseless Feedback first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In today's fast-paced business environment, leaders often focus on grand strategies and bold initiatives, overlooking the foundational behaviors that shape their success. It's easy to rationalize small missteps, telling ourselves they don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. However, our research paints a different picture. When we analyzed 60 distinct leadership behaviors, … Continued The post Episode 155: The 7 Minor Leadership Behaviors That Actually Determine Your Success first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we dive into the shifting landscape of Learning and Development (L&D) with Dani Johnson, co-founder and principal analyst at RedThread Research. Dani explores the concerning trend of L&D's “demotion” within organizations, the rise of federated models, and the opportunities for L&D leaders to adapt and thrive. Together, … Continued The post Episode 154: Is Learning and Development Being Demoted? first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details When work and life are overwhelming, it can be difficult to reclaim a sense of joy at work. Research has shown the benefits of incorporating joy, hope, and optimism into the workplace to combat burnout and improve well-being. Our guest today is Daisey Auger-Dominguez, a Chief People Officer, workplace strategist, speaker, and author on … Continued The post Episode 153: Finding Joy as a Leader (Even on the Hard Days) first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details As we step into a new year filled with possibilities, this episode of The 90th Percentile dives into the powerful connection between passion and performance. Hosts Bre and Joe explore Zenger Folkman's groundbreaking research on how passion influences leadership effectiveness, with compelling stories like Koel Thomae's journey to build Noosa Yoghurt. They discuss the … Continued The post Episode 152: How Much Does Passion Influence Performance? first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details This holiday, we encourage you to find stability and joy in the customs that have persisted for generations. Though the world may sometimes feel uncertain, the enduring spirit of the holidays can provide comfort, connection, and hope. Connect with Joe Folkman LinkedIn Twitter Webinar Zenger Folkman hosts an exclusive live webinar every month, where … Continued The post Zenger Folkman Holiday Message 2024 first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Do the people you manage love their jobs? Or do you sense that some are dissatisfied or disengaged? It's no secret that employees who love their jobs work harder and are willing to go the extra mile, which benefits any organization. While the core of great leadership remains unchanged, the landscape of work has … Continued The post Episode 151: Having a Blue Christmas? 3 Ways to Help Employees Love Their Jobs first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Picture a modern workplace leadership meeting: A Baby Boomer executive types deliberately on her laptop while referencing printed handouts, a Gen X director efficiently leads the agenda via his tablet, and a Millennial manager seamlessly orchestrates remote team participation through multiple digital platforms. This isn't just a scene of technological evolution – it's a … Continued The post Episode 150: The Unexpected Strengths of Each Generation of Leaders first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In a time where AI disrupts traditional workplace dynamics and remote work reshapes human connections, business leaders face a crucial question: How do we maintain our humanity while driving results? The answer might surprise those who still cling to the “tough boss” stereotype. In our episode today we're discussing how most effective leaders aren't … Continued The post Episode 149: Building Empathy and Drive at the Same Time first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Have you noticed a remarkable shift where major companies are mandating return to office policies. Amazon recently joined the ranks of Meta, Google, and others in requiring employees to return full time to the office. What's particularly interesting is the timing – why now, after years of remote work? We all know that organizations … Continued The post Episode 148: The Real Key to Employee Engagement—Leadership Over Location first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In a time with constant communication and information overload, the ability to truly listen stands out as a cornerstone for building trust within teams. In this episode, We'll explore how listening practices vary across cultures and organizations, the growing awareness of its importance in leadership, and the challenges leaders face in balancing listening with … Continued The post Episode 147: Listening—An Essential Tool for Building Trust first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In today's episode, we dive into a fascinating topic that many leaders grapple with—quality versus quantity. Are they truly competing objectives, or can organizations achieve both simultaneously? We'll unpack findings from a recent study that examines leaders' preferences for quality or quantity and what the data tells us about leadership effectiveness. From industry trends … Continued The post Episode 146: Quality And Quantity Are Not Trade-offs—How Some Leaders Are Choosing Both first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Today we are looking at coachability and its intriguing role across different career decades. Each stage in our professional lives—whether it's the exploration of the 20s, the depth-building of the 30s, the influence and leadership in the 40s, or the legacy-building in the 50s and beyond—comes with unique challenges and opportunities. By understanding how … Continued The post Episode 145: What You Should Know About Coachability Through Career Decades first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this episode of The 90th Percentile, hosts BreAnne Okoren  and Joe Folkman explore the powerful connection between leadership, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction. Drawing on research and real-world examples from companies like Sears and Zappos, they discuss how effective leadership drives employee engagement, which in turn boosts customer satisfaction and profitability. They also … Continued The post Episode 144: Connecting The Manager, Employee, and Customer Satisfaction Chain first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details We can all admit that we have felt a little threatened by AI. After all its whole purpose is improve and ultimately replace Human intelligence. And leadership will not be spared by the impact of AI.  Certain leadership qualities, such as deep domain expertise, decisiveness, authority, and short-term task focus, are losing their impact, … Continued The post Episode 143: Are You Surviving or Thriving With AI? first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Recently, a compelling question emerged: How do trust and conflict resolution impact a leader's effectiveness? To explore this, we analyzed a robust dataset of 360-degree assessments from 4,347 leaders, collected over the past three years.  In environments where leaders are untrustworthy or avoid resolving conflicts, dissatisfaction and disengagement flourish. Conversely, trusted leaders who adeptly … Continued The post Episode 142: Trust and Resolving Conflict in the Workplace—Key Behaviors for Leaders first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Can individuals truly recover from being perceived as fundamentally flawed in honesty and integrity? We embarked on a research journey to uncover whether redemption is possible for those who have fallen into the pit of distrust and how they can climb out. We analyzed data from 6,025 leaders who underwent 360-degree assessments, receiving feedback … Continued The post Episode 141: Can Honest Leaders Rebuild Integrity? first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this episode of “90th Percentile,” co-hosts Jack Zenger and Bre take a culinary approach to discussing effective leadership development. They compare the essentials of a good family meal to the key components of a successful leadership development plan. Just as family meals become staples due to their simplicity and consistent outcomes, leadership development … Continued The post Episode 140: The Three Key Ingredients for Sustainable Leadership Excellence first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details 360-degree assessments are a central component in many leadership-development programs. But not all assessments provide the same value to individual leaders or to the organization. The best assessments offer participants powerful insights into how others perceive their leadership strengths and weaknesses. These become a solid impetus for personal change. Organizations that offer multi-rater feedback … Continued The post Episode 139: 6 Components that Differentiate the Best 360-Degree Assessments first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Why does one person get selected for a promotion while others with equal skills, education and experience get passed over? While there may be several valid answers to that question, I submit that a person's demonstrated willingness to behave responsibly is one of the major reasons. Much management literature surprisingly overlooks this characteristic, yet … Continued The post Episode 138: Taking Responsibility Is The Highest Mark Of Great Leaders first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Join us in this enlightening episode of “The 90th Percentile” as hosts BreAnne Okoren and Joe Folkman delve into the crucial dynamics of trust in leadership. We'll explore the fine line between keeping teams informed and involving them in decision-making, backed by compelling data from Zenger Folkman's extensive research. Through engaging stories and expert … Continued The post Episode 137: Building Trust—The Balance of Information and Involvement first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Coachable leaders distinguish themselves by actively seeking and responding to feedback, a practice that not only enhances their personal growth but also significantly influences their leadership efficacy. In this episode, we'll explore how embracing feedback can catalyze positive changes across various leadership dimensions, from advocating for change to fostering inclusivity within teams. Drawing insights … Continued The post Episode 136: The Coachability Advantage—Transforming Leaders into Catalysts for Change first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Feedback is a powerful tool that can make or break an individual's growth and development. It can be a valuable gift that leads to success and well-being, but it can also be a dreaded message that is associated with negativity and criticism. The impact of feedback ultimately depends on how it is given, received, … Continued The post Episode 135: Flipping Feedback Upside Down first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Why is humility important for leaders? This pivotal question underpins Zenger Folkman's two decades of research into how leadership traits, specifically humility and arrogance, affect leadership effectiveness Humble leaders tend to empower their employees by recognizing their strengths and contributions. This leads to increased employee engagement and motivation. People want confidence yet humble leaders. So … Continued The post Episode 134: Humble Leadership and the 7 Signs of Arrogance first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this enlightening podcast episode, expert coaching master Kathleen Stinette shares her invaluable insights on the evolution of leadership coaching in the wake of the pandemic. With over 25 years of experience, Kathleen discusses the subtle yet significant shifts in coaching methodologies prompted by remote and hybrid work environments, emphasizing the growing importance of … Continued The post Episode 133: Connecting Through Coaching—Authenticity, AI, and Transformation first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details After some initial uncertainty, most companies have now found their footing with respect to adopting office-based, remote, or hybrid working models. Despite a common belief that we've mastered the flexibility of working from anywhere, the reality is we're still on a learning curve—and that's perfectly acceptable. In today's discussion, we aim to highlight the … Continued The post Epsiode 132: Hybrid Work— Understanding The Leadership Advantages in Both Zones first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Executive Presence. This term, often heard in boardrooms and leadership seminars, is not just about gravitas, articulate communication, and maintaining the ‘right' appearance. It's about having the capacity to foster confidence and inspire those around you. Your executive presence determines whether you'll gain access to opportunities. Joining us today is Sylvia Ann Hewlett, an … Continued The post Episode 131: Executive Presence Has New Rules first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Executive Presence. This term, often heard in boardrooms and leadership seminars, is not just about gravitas, articulate communication, and maintaining the ‘right' appearance. It's about having the capacity to foster confidence and inspire those around you. Your executive presence determines whether you'll gain access to opportunities. Joining us today is Sylvia Ann Hewlett, an … Continued The post Episode 131: Executive Presence Has New Rules first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details  In this episode, hosts BreAnne Okoren and Joe Folkman dive deep into the essential skill of adaptability, exploring its significance in the face of unprecedented technological advancements, globalization, and societal challenges. Drawing from research and real-life examples, they discuss the transformative impact of adaptability on leadership effectiveness, team engagement, and organizational success. Join the … Continued The post Episode 130: Thriving in Transition—The Keys to Adaptive Leadership first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Just like lawyers, physicians, and CPAs constantly update their skills, effective leadership is vital across all industries. Join us as we discuss the impact of proficient leadership and address the need for a paradigm shift in how we approach leadership development. It's time to treat leadership as a true profession, emphasizing continuous education and … Continued The post Episode 129: Why Leadership Should Be Treated Like a Profession first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In the spirit of reflection that accompanies this festive season and honoring whatever holiday you celebrate, this year's  message revolves around the sage words of Dr. Seuss from his classic, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”. In our ever-evolving world, where individual pursuits often overshadow the essence of community, we reflect on our roles as … Continued The post 2023 Holiday Message from Jack and Joe first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In the awkward dance of professional interactions, the key to a flourishing work relationship lies not in quick fixes, but in the art of weaving sincerity and respect into the very fabric of our connections. Beyond the confines of office walls, there's a rich tapestry of experiences and passions that define each of us. … Continued The post Episode 128: The Pinnacle Pillar of Trust—Building Relationships first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Consistency is a cornerstone of effective leadership, playing a pivotal role in building, maintaining, and restoring trust within an organization or community. Consistency means aligning one's words, actions, and decisions over time, creating a predictable and reliable pattern of behavior. This reliability is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, consistency provides a sense … Continued The post Episode 127: The Constant Pillar of Trust— Consistency first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details There is a leadership behavior that ignites a lot of conversation. It is trust. Many people have observational theories and experiences that influence their views on how trust is earned and maintained. At Zenger Folkman, we wanted to strip away all of the emotions and biases and purely analyze what the data says about … Continued The post Episode 126: The Hidden Pillar of Trust—Expertise first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details The narrative surrounding the impact of remote work on productivity has taken unexpected twists and turns. Initially, the prevailing wisdom during the early days of the pandemic was that remote work was a boon for productivity. Yet, as the pandemic's grip waned and remote work persisted, reports began to suggest a dip in productivity … Continued The post Episode 125: People Focus vs. Task Focus—Managing Remote Workers first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN. The post Episode 125: People Focus vs. Task Focus—Managing Remote Workers appeared first on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Every organization is experiencing change. Some of the changes come from the external environment, such as customer expectations, government regulations, global competition, or new domestic competitors. Other changes are coming from within the organization; such as changing employee expectations, hybrid work schedules, redesigned teams and structures, automated activities that minimize drudgery, reengineered corporate culture, … Continued The post Episode 124: How Modern Leaders Champion Change first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN. The post Episode 124: How Modern Leaders Champion Change appeared first on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Leadership can be a little complicated so in this episode we wish to reduce that complexity to a model of leadership that is more easily understood. You see, Leadership behaviors are knit together, much like the complex network of the human brain. There is a great deal of interdependence between them. Research shows that … Continued The post Episode 123: The Leadership Tent— Balancing Specialization and Generalism first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN. The post Episode 123: The Leadership Tent— Balancing Specialization and Generalism appeared first on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Have you ever stopped to wonder who the unhappiest individuals within your organization are? Those weary souls who navigate the daily grind with an invisible weight on their shoulders, all while hiding behind their smiles? And what's driving them crazy? Well, They may not be who you think they are. At least they were … Continued The post Episode 122: Why Middle Managers are So Unhappy first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN. The post Episode 122: Why Middle Managers are So Unhappy appeared first on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this enlightening podcast interview, Joe Folkman and Breanne Okoren explore the revolutionary concept of “Strength Builders” in leadership development. Drawing parallels between non-linear approaches and skill enhancement, this discussion challenges traditional linear methods and offers fresh insights into improving leadership skills. Download a free copy of The Extraordinary Leader eBook. Key Learnings Here … Continued The post Episode 121: Unlocking Leadership Potential with Strength Builders first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN. The post Episode 121: Unlocking Leadership Potential with Strength Builders appeared first on ZENGER FOLKMAN.