The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast

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 w...

Details Stress comes to us all in tiny minor assaults throughout our day through relationships and interactions that are too numerous to shake off quickly. The problem is that most of us have come to accept micro-stresses as just a normal part of a day, but they are wearing us down. In our episode, Karen … Continued The post Episode 76: Identifying and Managing Micro-stressors first appeared on ZE...

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. We analyzed data from 6,025 leaders who participated in 360-degree assessments, receiving feedback from their managers, peers, direct … Continued The post Episode...

Details In this episode of “90th Percentile,” co-hosts Jack Zenger and BreAnne Okoren 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 … Continued The post Episode...

Details  CEO, Vice President, Director, Supervisor, Manager, or Individual contributor each organizational position comes with its own set of demands. While being great at everything would be ideal, the majority of us are only human and subject to our inability to achieve perfection. In this episode, we discuss the different skills that leaders need at … Continued The post Episode 67: The Skills L...

Details We are all forced to make hundreds of little and big decisions every day. It can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Some people are so crippled with the fear of making a bad decision that they refuse to decide. Based on research from 50,000 leaders, we’re exploring the root causes for poor decision-making and how … Continued The post Episode 51: 9 Habits That Lead to Terrible Decisions fi...

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-rate...

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:...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Details In this enlightening podcast episode, expert coaching master Kathleen Stinnett 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 T...

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 Episode 1...

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...

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 organizati...

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: W...

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...

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...

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 … C...

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 f...

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...

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 dru...

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 Speci...

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 firs...