Psychometrician. Speaker. Author. Consultant. Measuring Leadership To Inspire Change
For over 30 years, Joe Folkman has been assessing and studying top leaders in every industry as a world-renowned psychometrician.
He is the co-founder and President of Zenger Folkman, a firm specializing in 360-degree assessments, leadership and organizational development. As a distinguished expert in the field of measurement, his unique surveys and assessments are designed utilizing a database comprised of over a million assessments on over 100,000 leaders. Because these tools specifically address critical business results, facilitating development and change is the main focus of measurement efforts.
He is the master at helping leaders gather and receive feedback and turn it into lasting change.
His client include several Fortune 500 organizations including companies such as AT&T, Celgene, General Motors, General Mills, Reed-Elsevier, Invesco, Wells Fargo, MUFG and Yale University. The diversity of industries and business models has provided him with a powerful learning opportunity and an exceptional research base.
He has frequently contributed to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Business Insider, CLO Magazine, Talent and Development Magazine, and Talent Quarterly. His research has also been repeatedly featured in venues such as Business Week, Fortune, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Inc., and Fast Company.
Prior to forming Zenger Folkman, Joe was a founding partner of Novations Group, Inc., where he led the employee survey and 360-degree assessment practice. Joe holds a doctorate degree in Social and Organizational Psychology, as well as a master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Brigham Young University.
He is the best-selling author or co-author of nine books on leadership and feedback. He is an avid gardener, former cyclist, and grill master.
ATD Distinguished Contribution to Talent Development Award HR.com Top Leadership Partner and Provider ISA Thought Leader of the Year William G. Dyer Distinguished Alumni Award
Learn more about Joe’s speaking, assessments, and development experiences—and how his research and strengths-based approach deepens the impact of feedback and leadership skills for any individual or organization.
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FEATURED TOPICS 1. The Adaptability Advantage: Leading With Agility in a Rapidly Changing World In today’s unpredictable business landscape, the leaders who thrive are those who adapt quickly—and help their teams do the same. Drawing from Joe Folkman’s research on adaptability and his webinar on navigating uncertainty, this keynote reveals the behaviors that separate adaptable leaders from stagnant ones. Audiences will learn practical ways to manage ambiguity, accelerate learning, and build teams that are energized—not overwhelmed—by change.
2. Psychological Safety: The Foundation of High-Performing, High-Trust Teams Psychological safety isn’t a soft concept—it’s a measurable driver of performance, innovation, and retention. In this session, Joe translates research and real-world evidence into actionable tools leaders can use immediately. He demonstrates how leaders at any level can cultivate an environment where bold ideas thrive, mistakes become learning moments, and employees feel confident speaking up. Perfect for organizations focused on culture, DEI, innovation, or team cohesion.
3. Inspiring Leadership: The Behaviors That Ignite Commitment and Drive Exceptional Results What truly inspires people at work? Joe Folkman’s research shows it’s not charisma—it’s a specific set of observable, learnable behaviors. Based on millions of leadership data points, this keynote uncovers the science behind inspirational leadership and the impact it has on engagement, performance, and collaboration. Attendees walk away with the habits and practices that turn good leaders into extraordinary ones who elevate everyone around them.
4. The Power of Feedback: How to Accelerate Growth, Strengthen Talent, and Build a Culture of Excellence Few leadership experts understand feedback like Joe Folkman. With decades of research, bestselling books, and thousands of assessments behind him, Joe offers a practical and transformative approach to giving and receiving feedback. This session reframes feedback from something leaders fear to something they leverage—showing how the most effective leaders use strengths-focused, high-impact feedback to unblock performance, accelerate development, and create resilient teams.
5. The Trifecta of Trust™: The Three Pillars Every Leader Needs to Lead With Confidence and Credibility Trust remains one of the most urgent business issues of our time. Based on Joe Folkman’s groundbreaking book The Trifecta of Trust, this keynote delivers a clear, research-driven roadmap for building and maintaining trust in 2026’s complex workplace. Leaders discover how to strengthen the three pillars—Relationships, Expertise, and Consistency—and how trust fuels engagement, innovation, retention, and overall organizational health.
OTHER TOPICS: Feedback and change, Developing Strategic Perspective, The New Blueprint for Leadership Development, and Developing Others.
In The Trifecta of Trust, psychometrics and leadership expert Joseph R. Folkman has collected a mountain of compelling data to make the irrefutable case for the value of trust in leadership.
His research shows that three core behaviors create and reinforce trust from others. By mastering this leadership trust trifecta, you can increase your success and happiness, both in business and life.