The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast

Details In this special episode of The 90th Percentile, we unpack how Jotun—the Norway-based, family-owned paints and coatings company operating in 100+ countries—elevated leadership effectiveness using Zenger Folkman’s Extraordinary Leader program. Partnering with Arcadia Consulting, Jotun moved from a baseline well below industry average to outperforming peers, all by doubling down on a strengths-based approach to leadership. We’re joined by Alistair Skellern (Arcadia) to explore the data, the culture, and the practices behind this multi-year transformation. Learn how building a few profound strengths—not just fixing weaknesses—created measurable gains in performance, engagement, and leader pipeline. You can visit Arcadia Consulting’s website to watch additional interviews  on this Jotun leadership case study. Key Point Strengths > gap-fixing: Jotun’s biggest gains came from magnifying a few profound strengths per leader—making development feel energizing and personalized rather than remedial. Measure what matters, then retest: A disciplined 360-feedback cadence (with executive participation) built credibility, a shared language, and visible progress over five years. Push insights earlier in careers: Moving The Extraordinary Leader assessment down the leadership pipeline (not just for senior leaders) accelerated readiness and internal mobility. Balance “results” and “relationships”: Interpersonal skills and learning agility were strong; bolder decision-making, initiative, and championing change became the focused next step. Culture raises the bar: As great leadership became more common, tolerance for poor leadership dropped—the “shadow effect”—creating healthy pressure to sustain excellence. 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 post Episode 176 Jotun: A Case Study in Extraordinary Leadership first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details What separates the best decision-makers from the rest? In this episode, Joe Folkman shares research on nearly 16,000 leaders to reveal seven key qualities that enable effective decision-making. Discover why information overload slows decisions down, how to balance speed with quality, and the surprising link between decision-making effectiveness and employee engagement. If you’re struggling with analysis paralysis or looking to empower better decisions throughout your organization, this episode offers practical, research-backed insights you can apply immediately. Key Point Decision-making is harder today due to information overload, uncertainty, and stakeholder complexity. Effective decision-makers create highly engaged teams—the best leaders scored 86th percentile in effectiveness and their teams 77th in engagement. The top decision-makers consistently demonstrate seven key behaviors, including anticipating problems, acting quickly, focusing on priorities, balancing risk, and building trust. Trust is the foundation that accelerates decision speed and quality by reducing friction and bureaucracy. Great leaders build decision-making cultures, empowering people at every level to act with clarity, confidence, and alignment. 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 post Episode 175: 7 Key Leadership Behaviors of the Most Effective Decision Makers first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we sit down with Kathleen Crenshaw and Christopher Bisgrove from Desert Financial Credit Union to explore how they are rethinking leadership development and investing in people. From building programs that reach leaders earlier in their careers to making learning opportunities more accessible, Desert Financial shares the principles and practices behind their growth. Their story highlights what it looks like when a financial institution prioritizes people as much as performance. Key Points Early investment in leaders pays off – Developing leadership skills at the start of a career builds confidence and sets a foundation for long-term success. Accessibility drives engagement – Leadership development should not be reserved for executives; broad access creates a stronger leadership pipeline. Culture of learning sustains growth – Embedding leadership development into the culture ensures learning continues beyond formal programs. Practical experiences matter – Rotations, projects, and hands-on opportunities accelerate growth more effectively than classroom training alone. People-first strategies strengthen organizations – By putting leadership growth at the center, Desert Financial connects employee development with business results. 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 post Episode 174: Making Development Popular with Desert Financial Credit Union first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details What if great leadership could go viral? In this episode of The 90th Percentile Podcast, Dr. Jack Zenger joins BreAnne Okoren to explore how positive leadership behaviors—like openness, respect, and accountability—spread through organizations and transform cultures. Drawing on decades of research, Jack reveals why developing leaders at scale creates psychological safety, sparks innovation, and shifts entire organizations. Discover the three actions that make leadership development contagious—and how HR and OD professionals can start a ripple effect of great leadership today. Key Points Leadership Behaviors Are ContagiousPositive leadership behaviors—like openness, respect, and accountability—can spread rapidly across teams and functions, reshaping the culture just as viral trends do online. Psychological Safety Fuels InnovationWhen leaders consistently model curiosity, support, and transparency, they create psychologically safe environments where employees feel empowered to speak up, take risks, and innovate. Widespread Development Drives Culture ChangeDeveloping leaders at all levels—not just high potentials or executives—creates powerful ripple effects that accelerate culture change across an entire organization. Behavior Change Requires Proven MethodsLasting growth comes from structured, research-based approaches—such as 360-degree feedback, coaching, and action learning projects—rather than one-off workshops or motivational events. Sustained Effort Creates Lasting ImpactMulti-year leadership initiatives send a clear message that development is an expectation, not a perk—raising the baseline of leadership effectiveness and embedding positive behaviors into the culture. 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 post Episode 173: The Surprising Way Leadership Behaviors Go Viral at Work first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Psychological safety is not a new term anymore, but it has matured into a foundational leadership capability, much like communication or trust no longer a “nice to have,” but a critical driver of collaboration, retention, and innovation. Drawing on Amy Edmondson’s groundbreaking research and Zenger Folkman’s data from 18,000 employees, they unpack the eight leadership behaviors that create a culture of safety—and share practical strategies leaders can apply right now to build trust, resolve conflict, and invite every voice to the table. Key Points Psychological safety is a business driver — it directly impacts retention, innovation, and willingness to give extra effort, not just workplace “niceness.” Leadership behaviors matter most — Zenger Folkman research on 18,000 employees shows eight specific behaviors strongly correlate with creating safe, respectful environments. Small improvements create big impact — leaders don’t need to master all eight behaviors; excelling in just three significantly boosts psychological safety scores. Vulnerability builds trust — when leaders admit mistakes, invite questions, and seek diverse perspectives, teams respond with greater openness and loyalty. Safety fuels adaptability — in a world of constant change, psychologically safe teams are more resilient, collaborative, and ready to tackle new challenges together. 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 post Episode 172: Why Psychological Safety Matters More Than Ever first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details Dr. Susan David is a founder and co-director of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital of Harvard Medical School and an Instructor in Psychology at Harvard University. In this episode, Susan discusses her research on emotional agility and how to master challenges without getting derailed. Download the eBook of her full interview here. Guest Bio: Susan David, Ph.D. is one of the world’s leading management thinkers and an award-winning Harvard Medical School psychologist. Her #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Emotional Agility based on the concept that Harvard Business Review heralded as a Management Idea of the Year and winner of the Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award, describes the psychological skills critical to thriving in times of complexity and change. Susan’s TED Talk on the topic of emotional agility has been seen by more than 8 million people. She is a frequent contributor to the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and guest on national radio and television. She is on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and is a Co-founder of the Institute of Coaching (a Harvard Medical School/McLean affiliate). Susan lives outside of Boston with her family. 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 the latest research in leadership development. Find out more information and register at https://zengerfolkman.com/webinar-registration/. Additional Resources: Emotional Agility– Explore the eBook with leadership insights from Susan David. Zenger Folkman’s Leadership eBooks– Enjoy our complimentary eBooks filled with groundbreaking research, compelling interviews, and practical solutions to everyday leadership issues. Music: Pleasant PicturesThe post Bonus Episode– Susan David, Emotional Agility first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Details In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the results of a massive leadership study — over 63,000 assessments — to answer one key question: What makes certain leaders truly unforgettable? We’ll explore the 10 specific behaviors that set the most exceptional leaders apart, backed by real-world examples from sports, business, and history. Whether you work in HR, organizational development, or leadership training, you’ll come away with insights you can use to identify, develop, and prepare leaders for their defining moments. Key Points Memorability in leadership comes from behaviors, not titles.Just like Denzel Clarke’s unforgettable catch, leaders are remembered for moments and actions that stand out — not for their job description. The top 10% of leaders consistently practice 10 standout behaviors.Based on 63,000 leadership assessments, these include fostering growth mindsets, inspiring energy, making decisive calls under pressure, and building trust through good judgment. Trust and authenticity are the foundation of influence.From Johnson & Johnson’s Tylenol recall to role-modeling values inside organizations, trust cements reputations far more than charisma. Focus and clarity multiply impact.Memorable leaders align their teams around a few high-priority goals — and have the discipline to eliminate distractions. Memorable leadership isn’t just about steady performance.It’s also about courage. Intel’s bold shift from memory chips to microprocessors shows how decisive moves can define legacies. Preparation shapes defining moments.Leaders don’t suddenly become courageous or visionary in a crisis — daily habits of clarity, trust, and growth prepare them for those big, unforgettable decisions. 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 post Episode 171: Memorable Leadership—10 Behaviors That Make Leaders Unforgettable first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

Jack Zenger, a leadership expert and co-founder of Zenger Folkman, dives into the balancing act of speed and quality in the workplace. He reveals insights from over 50,000 leaders, showcasing that top performers don’t choose between urgency and excellence. Zenger discusses five key behaviors that enable leaders to achieve dual performance and argues that while AI boosts productivity, it cannot replicate human judgment. He also highlights how task interruptions can undermine quality, emphasizing the need for focused, uninterrupted work.

Discover the secrets behind extraordinary teams with insights from Zenger Folkman's latest research. Learn about ten game-changing behaviors like empowered decision-making and strategic alignment that set high performers apart. Understand how simple pulse-check questions can assess team health. Small changes can lead to significant impacts—practical strategies are shared to promote cooperation, celebrate achievements, and enhance overall team dynamics. Get ready to transform your leadership approach and drive your teams to success!

Shanna Goodell, Head of Learning and Development at Druva, emphasizes that well-being is a leadership imperative and not just a perk. She discusses how personalizing wellness strategies fosters engagement and productivity. Shanna highlights the critical role of self-awareness for leaders and how employee resource groups like Druva's Women’s ERG tackle vital issues such as women's health. Ultimately, she illustrates how creating a supportive and inclusive culture directly impacts employee performance and satisfaction.