The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast

Life for a manager inside an organization has an unrelenting pace, with very few occasions where there is uninterrupted time. As a result, relationship building and development opportunities may fall by the wayside or become superficial due to the enormity of managerial time constraints. In today’s pandemic world, there is a somewhat different issue.  While there … Continued

Life for a manager inside an organization has an unrelenting pace, with very few occasions where there is uninterrupted time. As a result, relationship building and development opportunities may fall by the wayside or become superficial due to the enormity of managerial time constraints. In today’s pandemic world, there is a somewhat different issue.  While there … Continued

Details How far-reaching is the influence of one bad or good boss? Do they only influence their reports? What about the leaders and managers underneath them? In this episode, we are discussing our research on the trickle-down effect of good and bad leadership. Connect with Jack Zenger: LinkedIn Twitter Webinar Zenger Folkman hosts an exclusive … Continued

Details We’ve all heard the claims, the theories, and the speculation about the ways leadership styles vary between women and men. There are of course many factors that contribute to this absence of a greater abundance of women in senior-level positions. For centuries, there have been broad, cultural biases against women, and  stereotypes die slowly . Zenger Folkman’s current data presents even mo...

Details A long-held belief holds that managers acquire the lion’s share of their management and leadership skills from their on-the-job experience. Is it true that just like wine leaders improve with age? In the episode, we are using our data to give some new insight into why leaders are not improving with age. Connect with Jack Zenger: LinkedIn Twitter Webinar Zenger Folkman hosts an exclusive li...

Details Many qualified candidates that are ready to be promoted never see it happen. But what if this common problem that leaders experience could be solved with one overlooked leadership quality. If you want to move up, then research shows you need to start working on your strategic thinking skills. In this episode, we will be discussing not only how to be a strategic thinker but how to help othe...

Details Many qualified candidates that are ready to be promoted never see it happen. But what if this common problem that leaders experience could be solved with one overlooked leadership quality. If you want to move up, then research shows you need to start working on your strategic thinking skills. In this episode, we will be discussing not only how to be a strategic thinker but how to help othe...

Do people consider you a warm person? Or do you rely more on your competence than your likability? Which trait matters more? After searching our database we wanted to know if leaders should aspire to develop warmth or competence. Connect with Jack Zenger on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Sign up for our Newsletter for podcast updates and information on our Monthly Leadership Webinar … Continued

Our research shows that as women’s experience increases over time, so does their confidence. But at the beginning of a woman’s career, there is a significant gap in confidence between men and women that may be causing women to miss out or wait too long to the advantage of opportunities they are ready for. Today … Continued

Leaders who know how to set stretch goals correctly are perceived as significantly more effective leaders, and they also raise the level of employee engagement. In this episode, we will discuss three essential skills that will keep you on the right path to achieve your STRETCH goals. Connect with Joe Folkman on LinkedIn, Twitter,  or … Continued

In 2020, companies were forced to change, and that transformation exposed the vulnerabilities of leaders and organizations that lack agility. Agile leaders can thrive even in rapidly changing and unpredictable circumstances. In this episode, Joe Folkman shares the four skills that will successfully advance your response to change. Register for this month’s live webinar Leading Agile … Continued

With a full-time job, adults spend a third of their life asleep, a third at home, and the last third of their life at work. The hope for everyone is that the third of your life (or more) spent at work is doing something that means something to you. In this episode, we share a … Continued

David Sturt is an executive vice president at the O.C. Tanner Company and author of “Great Work: How To Make A Difference People Love.” He has been a driving force and voice of business publishing and management sciences throughout his entire career. In this episode, he joins Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman to discuss his research … Continued

Josh Bersin is the founder and CEO of Bersin & Associates, a leading industry research and advisory firm in enterprise learning and talent management. In this episode, he joins Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman to discuss his research on bold leadership. Download the eBook of the full interview here. Sign up for our Newsletter for … Continued

In the words of Jacob Marley, “Business, business—mankind was my business.” That is our Holiday message to our clients and friends. Whatever it is that our firm makes, or whatever service we provide— ultimately it should be that mankind is our business. The betterment of mankind has to be our purpose. View video message here.

Despite all research about the nature of leaders, practitioners and scholars still acknowl­edge that many aspects of leadership remain a mystery. In this episode, Jack Zenger addresses one of the key mysteries that seems to consistently defy traditional analysis —how to be an inspiring leader. Connect with Jack Zenger on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. Sign up … Continued

The companies that focus on teamwork and collaboration are the companies that maximize the strengths of individuals as well.  Why? Because being a part of an effective team can bring forth wonderful increases in the work ethic and strength attributes of the individuals. In this episode, we are talking about teams and what leaders can … Continued

(Rerun) The companies that focus on teamwork and collaboration are the companies that maximize the strengths of individuals as well.  Why? Because being a part of an effective team can bring forth wonderful increases in the work ethic and strength attributes of the individuals. In this episode, we are talking about teams and what leaders can do to transform them to be more positive and powerful. C...

Do you think your boss is judging you fairly? What effect does their opinion have on your performance? Today we are diving deep into our data to prove that if your boss thinks you’re awesome, you will become more awesome. Connect with Joe Folkman on LinkedIn, Twitter,  or Facebook. Sign up for our Newsletter for … Continued

It is becoming apparent that the best leaders are good coaches. Assuming that most of us would like to become better leaders, what lessons can we learn from those seen by their colleagues as outstanding coaches? In this episode, Jack Zenger shares six down to earth lessons we can learn from the most effective coaches. … Continued

The work at home revolution resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about some of the most dramatic changes ever thrust on leaders. Moving from seeing and speaking personally to direct reports almost every day to occasionally connecting on-line, in conference calls, or on Zoom is a significant change. In this episode, Jack Zenger offers … Continued

Leaders are under pressure.  Are there certain skills that can even make a difference in a crisis?  In the episode, we cover a Zenger Folkman study that compared leadership 360-degree assessments before and after the pandemic that revealed five essential skills needed for this new era. Questions: Do I balance getting results with a concern for … Continued

Joe Folkman interviews Dorie Clark about her research on how leaders can stand out and get noticed. Download our eBook to read the full interview. Dorie Clark, a consultant and keynote speaker, teaches executive education at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School, and she is the author of Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing … Continued

It’s obvious that business is moving faster and faster and that to keep up, leaders at all levels need to know how to pick up the pace. Is there a correlation between speed and perceived leadership effectiveness? Today we will discuss Joe Folkman’s Harvard Business Review article, based on his book Leadership Speed. Connect with … Continued

Productivity improvement lies at the heart of our ability to maintain a high standard of living.  The most effective organizations are those whose productivity gains exceed their competitors. In the episode, Jack Zenger shares solutions from his article, “The Productivity Improvement Steering Wheel: 7 Powerful Steps Every Leader Can Take.” Connect with Jack Zenger on Twitter, LinkedIn, … Continued