Zenger Folkman
Data-Driven Approach to Cultivating Leadership Excellence

Zenger Folkman is a strengths-based leadership assessment and development company committed to surpassing the ambiguous aspects of widely held leadership opinions. Its distinctive approach is focused on cultivating strengths through an innovative, data-driven methodology that empowers individuals to reach their full potential. Its comprehensive leadership development research introduces powerful insights that inspire good managers to become great leaders.

Zenger Folkman delivers high-impact, research-driven leadership assessments and development programs that can be customized to fit the distinct requirements of individual organizations. Zenger Folkman also offers coaching and consulting services, providing organizations and individuals with the essential tools to enhance effectiveness, improve employee engagement, and drive overall organizational performance.

“Our research reveals that great leaders are not characterized by the absence of weaknesses but rather by possessing a few profound strengths,” says Joseph Folkman, President and Co-founder of Zenger Folkman.

Traditional leadership development programs were focused on fixing weaknesses. Interestingly, studies show that about 20 percent of leaders have major flaws impacting their effectiveness. Recent research suggests a more successful approach lies in identifying and cultivating leaders’ strengths. Eighty percent of the time, individuals benefit from developing strengths rather than improving weaknesses. Through its 360-degree assessment process, Zenger Folkman provides individuals with a clear understanding of their specific strengths and weaknesses.

“360-degree assessments are the backbone of most corporations’ leadership development programs,” says Folkman, “But not all surveys are in the same class as far as quality, the effectiveness of the implementation process, and the added services that they offer.” Zenger Folkman’s Extraordinary Leader^TM 360-degree assessment is globally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient 360s on the market. It features a unique strength scale, measures the impact of employee engagement, and allows leaders to compare their scores to the 75th and 90th percentile of global leaders in Zenger Folkman’s extensive database. The insights gathered from this feedback lead to a personally relevant, strengths-based development plan for each leader.

Utilizing extensive research gathered from over 1.5 million 360-degree assessments, Zenger Folkman implements its revolutionary nonlinear development methodology. This innovative approach recognizes “strength builders” as actions or traits mutually supporting and enhancing one another. Grouped into 19 distinct traits, these attributes span interpersonal skills, technical expertise, and results-driven acumen. Fostering any three of these 19 behaviors makes a significant impact on a leader’s effectiveness, elevating them to the top 20 percent.

For example, when leaders lack any profound strengths (at the 90th percentile), their average rating is at the 34th percentile. However, having just one such capability elevates their rating to the 64th percentile. Impressively, possessing three profound strengths places their rating at the 81st percentile, positioning them in the top 20 percent of leaders and illustrating the remarkable impact of cultivating leadership strengths.

Numerous success stories validate the transformative approach of Zenger Folkman’s leadership development programs. Leaders who participate in these programs display newfound self-awareness, an increased capacity to utilize strengths, and enhancement in their overall effectiveness. Sixty percent of these people also succeed in minimizing their major flaws. Furthermore, companies that invest in developing extraordinary leaders witness higher employee engagement, increased profitability, reduced turnover rates, and improved customer satisfaction.

As a transformative force, Zenger Folkman empowers individuals to magnify their strengths, fostering a continuous learning and growth lifestyle. This approach reframes the proposition “better leaders equal better results” into a measurable and achievable reality.