Episode 36: Why the Most Productive People Don’t Always Make the Best Managers

The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast

Published: November 29, 2023


Details

When a company needs a supervisor for a team, senior leaders often anoint the team’s most productive performer. Some of these stars succeed in their new role as manager; many others do not. And when they fail, they tend to leave the organization, costing the company double: Not only has the team lost its new manager but it’s also lost the best individual contributor. And the failure can be personally costly for the new manager, causing them to doubt their skills, smarts, and future career path. Everyone loses. In this episode, we will explore why the most productive people don’t always make the best managers.

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Additional Resources

Why the Most Productive People Don’t Always Make the Best Managers– Article by Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman

7 Traits of Super-Productive People-Article by Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman

Developing Strengths or Weaknesses– WHITEPAPER  Compelling evidence supports the idea that leaders who focus on their strengths have greater success in their development plans. Thought leader Jack Zenger illustrates why building strengths is the key to a strong development plan.