Articles

Extraordinary ideas can change how people think about leadership and how organizations think about their leaders. Explore Zenger Folkman's articles section to find our latest thought leadership on the most talked about topics of today.

The Hidden Cost of Leadership Gossip: How One Toxic Habit Destroys Your Effectiveness

March, 2026

Why Leaders Fall into the Gossip Trap Leaders engage in negative gossip for several compelling but ultimately destructive reasons. Sharing criticism of others creates a false sense of intimacy and insider status—"I'm telling you something privat...

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Our Research Reveals the 5 Leadership Traits Behind Memorable Presentations

Articles — October 02, 2025

The Surprising Way Leadership Behaviors Go Viral at Work

Articles — September 17, 2025

Research: What Leaders Do to Create Psychological Safety

Articles — September 17, 2025

AI-Driven Quantity and Quality: What “Both” Looks Like in Everyday Work

Articles — August 26, 2025

When Leaders Keep Their Word (And When They Don’t)

Articles — July 17, 2025

10 Standout Leadership Behaviors That Drive Results

Articles — July 10, 2025

Why Team Development Outperforms Individual Growth

Articles — June 12, 2025

7 Actions That Will Keep You from Being Laid Off in Today’s Uncertain Economy

Articles — May 28, 2025

Are Older Leaders More or Less Effective? Understanding Age and Leadership Effectiveness

Articles — May 28, 2025

Unleashing Discretionary Effort: The Seven Leadership Levers That Drive Exceptional Performance

Articles — April 22, 2025

Control and Influence: Why They Matter More Than Ever

Articles — April 19, 2025

Leadership’s Silver Lining: How the Pandemic Permanently Elevated Management Effectiveness

Articles — March 27, 2025

Is One Leadership Style Better Than the Others?

Articles — March 26, 2025

10 Ways Team Effectiveness Reduces Employee Turnover

Articles — March 20, 2025

5 Ways to Build a High-Performance Team in Today’s Workplace

Articles — February 26, 2025

Team Trust Infographic: The Key to Stronger Teams

Articles — February 25, 2025