90th Percentile Leadership: Insights. Backed by Data.

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

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.

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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.

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.

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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

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.

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.

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.

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/.

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 Pictures

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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.

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.

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In today’s episode of The 90th Percentile, we challenge one of the most persistent myths in modern work: that you must choose between speed and excellence. As AI accelerates productivity at lightning pace, many leaders are wondering—can humans keep up without compromising quality?

Dr. Jack Zenger joins us to share groundbreaking research from over 50,000 leaders and 700,000 multi-rater feedback surveys to prove that top leaders don’t choose—they master both. We explore:

What separates fast-and-effective leaders from the rest

The five key behaviors that enable dual performance

Why AI can increase volume but not value

How interruptions silently erode quality

And how high-performing organizations protect time for deep work

Whether you’re leading a team or navigating your own workday, this episode offers practical advice for thriving in a world that demands both urgency and rigor.

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.

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In today’s episode, we’re unpacking new research from Zenger Folkman that reveals what truly separates high-performing teams from the rest. After analyzing 171 teams—many of which were struggling with negative customer feedback—we identified 10 key behaviors that predict whether a team will turn things around or stay stuck. If you’re leading teams or responsible for developing them, this episode offers data-backed insights, pulse-check questions, and practical strategies you can use right away.

Extraordinary teams don’t happen by accident.Zenger Folkman’s latest research shows that high-performing teams intentionally develop behaviors that build trust, clarity, and collaboration. These teams respond to challenges differently—and outperform others in both engagement and execution.

Ten specific behaviors separate top teams from the rest.From empowered decision-making to proactive problem-solving, the data reveals ten key differentiators. These include strategic alignment, cross-functional cooperation, and a culture of recognition—all backed by statistically significant findings.

Simple questions can reveal team health.Each of the ten behaviors can be assessed with a quick pulse-check question. Leaders can use these questions to gauge where their teams are thriving—and where they need support.

Small changes lead to big impact.The episode shares actionable strategies for each behavior—ranging from goal alignment huddles to decision-making guidelines—that HR leaders and team managers can implement immediately.

Team development is no longer optional—it’s a competitive advantage.While individual leadership development is critical, organizations that also invest in team-level development see greater returns. Zenger Folkman’s new product, The Extraordinary Team, helps teams assess, grow, and sustain high performance through a research-backed development experience.

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.

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In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we explore why wellbeing programs are more than just perks—they are a leadership imperative. Shanna Goodell shares how Druva is shifting the narrative around employee wellness, embedding it into leadership development, and addressing real-life challenges like women’s health in the workplace. From building inclusive spaces to driving engagement through belonging, Shanna offers a powerful perspective on how well-being ignites performance.

You’ll also hear how learning programs that promote self-awareness, coaching, and connection can transform not just culture—but results.

1. Well-being must be normalized, modeled, and personalized.Well-being looks different for everyone. Leaders must create space to talk about it, role model it, and customize support for their teams.

2. Great leadership begins with self-awareness.Shanna emphasizes that leading others starts with leading yourself—through assessments, reflection, and coaching that build emotional intelligence.

3. Employee resource groups (ERGs) are more than social circles—they drive results.Druva’s Women’s ERG is tackling hard topics like menstruation, maternity, and menopause—empowering women and improving retention and engagement.

4. Well-being and performance go hand-in-hand.Engagement, morale, and productivity are all tied to how supported people feel. When people are mentally and emotionally well, they do their best work.

5. Inclusive leadership requires honest self-reflection.Many leaders are unaware of how their behavior impacts others. Shanna shares how coaching and feedback helped uncover unconscious bias—and change it.

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 168: Well-Being Is a Business Strategy—Leadership Lessons from Druva first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.

In this episode of The 90th Percentile, we sit down with Rose Christensen, Senior Learning & Development Leader at Wright Service Corp., to explore what it really takes to grow leaders across dispersed, specialized, and fast-growing teams. With over 6,000 employees spread across North America and roles ranging from field-based technicians to executives, Wright Service Corp. has had to rethink traditional leadership development models. Rose shares how they’ve scaled programs across levels, embraced hybrid flexibility, and met employees where they are—with mobile learning, tailored cohort programs, and a culture rooted in trust and business partnership.

Flexibility Fuels OpportunityThe shift to remote and hybrid work enabled Wright Service Corp. to tap into a wider, more diverse talent pool—prioritizing skills over geography.

Leadership Development Must Be LayeredOne-size-fits-all programs don’t work. Wright built tiered development pathways for first-level leaders, mid-level managers, and executives—scaling content to match job scope.

Field-Based Teams Require Mobile, Bite-Sized LearningFor the 4,000+ employees working in the field, leadership development had to be accessible via mobile and delivered in shorter, more digestible sessions.

Connection Still Matters in Hybrid ModelsHybrid learning experiences, culture clubs, and in-office events help foster belonging and reinforce organizational values—even across distances.

Trust and Business Acumen are FoundationalRose emphasizes that strong relationships and a deep understanding of the business are essential for L&D to be seen as true strategic partners.

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.

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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 experience, along with fresh insights into how AI can support (but not replace) the human side of coaching. From the power of frameworks like Zenger Folkman’s FUEL model to the risks of over-relying on automation, this conversation dives into how AI might reshape the future of feedback and development.

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 166: Can AI Be Your Coach? The Promise and Peril of AI in Leadership Development first appeared on ZENGER FOLKMAN.