In this discussion, Paul Leboffe, a seasoned facilitator of team development, delves into the misconception that individual leaders alone drive performance. He argues that true growth stems from collective intelligence within teams. Paul highlights the dangers of 'being too nice,' which can undermine trust without anyone realizing it. With remote work becoming the norm, he emphasizes the urgent need for intentional support in diverse teams to bridge communication gaps. Tune in for fresh insights on integrating team development into leadership strategies.
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insights INSIGHT
Teams Enable Collective Intelligence
Teams generate collective intelligence, making the whole smarter than individual parts.
Individual development fails if team dynamics remain unchanged, limiting sustained progress.
insights INSIGHT
'Culture of Nice' Undermines Trust
Trust issues often stem from impact, not intent, especially in 'cultures of nice.'
Being too nice can overload people, causing missed commitments and eroding trust.
insights INSIGHT
Modern Teams Face New Challenges
Diversity and dispersion make teams outperform but extend the forming phase.
Remote and digital communication often causes misunderstandings and requires intentional team support.
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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 how they work together.
Paul and host Bre Okoren explore why team development is no longer optional in today’s dynamic, digital, and diverse workplace. They discuss why focusing solely on individual leaders can backfire, how benchmarking boosts motivation, and the surprising ways “being too nice” can erode trust.
If you’ve ever wondered whether one workshop can truly shift how a team functions—this episode might just change your mind
Teams create collective intelligence. Developing individuals in isolation often fails because the team dynamics don’t change. Real progress happens when the whole team grows together.
Trust issues aren’t always about intent—they’re about impact. Teams that score low on trust are often surprised, especially in “cultures of nice” where unresolved overload and missed commitments quietly damage credibility.
Diverse, dispersed, and digital teams face new challenges. Modern teams need intentional support to overcome communication gaps and longer forming periods, especially when working across time zones and cultures.
Benchmarking motivates change. Teams want to know how they compare. Zenger Folkman’s team assessment provides a research-backed reference point that encourages focused improvement.
The most powerful changes come after the workshop. The team development experience isn’t a one-and-done fix—it’s the strategic pause that sets up sustainable progress, especially when reinforced by leadership and follow-through.
Webinar
Zenger Folkman hosts an exclusive live webinar every month, where you can meet Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman and join in a conversation about their latest research in leadership development. Find out more information and register here.
The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast