
Start with the problem you’re trying to solve.
Build the conditions great leadership needs.
Learn four leadership skills that set exceptional leaders apart.
Flagship programs for leaders at every level.
Grow individual contributors and emerging talent.
Turn working groups into high-performing teams.
Data and support for every program.
Research and writing from our practice.
Ideas in shorter form, on your schedule.
Learn four leadership skills that set exceptional leaders apart.
Engaging events that inspire better leadership.
Webinar
October 28, 2026 •
11:00am MT
Drawing on new research, explore the human capabilities leaders need most as AI transforms the workplace.
Register Now →Virtual · Certification
November 2, 4, & 6, 2026
An intensive live online training process that provides skilled facilitators with the knowledge and tools to effectively deliver standard or customized versions of The Extraordinary Leader Workshop within their organizations.
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Virtual Workshop
December 15, 2026
Give yourself the gift of development as you prepare to thrive in 2027. Join us for a special holiday edition of Coachability and discover how becoming more receptive to feedback can help you unlock your potential and get more out of every development opportunity.
Register Now →Virtual Workshop
January 12 & 14, 2027
The Extraordinary Coach draws on research and practical experience to help leaders become more effective coaches. Develop stronger coaching skills through greater self-awareness, a flexible conversation framework, and practical application that empowers employees to discover their own solutions and take action.
Register Now →Virtual Workshop
January 26 & 28, 2027
Elevating Feedback uses research and practical tools to help leaders make feedback more effective and impactful. Build a culture of continuous development by helping leaders deliver clear, actionable feedback and create the conditions for employees to actively seek, receive, and apply it.
Register Now →Virtual Workshop
February 9 & 11, 2027
The Extraordinary Leader bridges the gap between leadership research and practical leadership development by leveraging research that identifies the differentiating behaviors of highly effective leaders. Elevate your leaders and your organization by combining personalized, powerful leader data with a distinct, data-driven, strengths-based development approach.
Register Now →Virtual · Certification
February 23 & 25, 2027
The Extraordinary Leader 360 Assessment Certification utilizes a proven process to prepare participants to have one-on-one coaching conversations by providing experienced coaches with the process, tools, and framework to leverage The Extraordinary Leader 360-degree Assessment and Development Guide with those they coach.
Register Now →Virtual · Certification
March 8, 10, & 12, 2027
An intensive live online training process that provides skilled facilitators with the knowledge and tools to effectively deliver standard or customized versions of The Extraordinary Leader Workshop within their organizations.
Register Now →Zenger Folkman is always looking for talented, innovative people to join our team.
At Zenger Folkman our mission is to unlock the transformative potential of Strengths-Based Development. By focusing on amplifying individual strengths rather than rectifying weaknesses, we empower you to achieve exceptional leadership and success.
At Zenger Folkman, our development experiences are centered on Strengths-Based Development. This approach addresses a crucial dilemma faced by individuals crafting a personal development plan: should the focus be on remedying weaknesses or on enhancing strengths? Our research reveals that exceptional leaders are distinguished not by a lack of shortcomings but by the presence of significant strengths.
This insight underpins our feedback assessments, which are designed to assist individuals and leaders in identifying, cultivating, and leveraging their strengths to achieve their career objectives.
Understanding More About Strengths-Based Development
We perceive strengths as vital job competencies or behaviors that are applicable across a variety of situations, persist over time, and yield outstanding outcomes for the organization. Our definition of a strength is a behavior or characteristic that your manager, peers, and direct reports unanimously recognize as one of your top talents, positioning you in the 90th percentile. This trait is not only regarded as crucial for leadership within organizations but also differentiates the most successful leaders from the rest.
Our efforts at Zenger Folkman have been dedicated to exploring how strengths influence exceptional leadership. Our findings support the idea that possessing a handful of strengths, specifically 4–5, can propel leaders to the pinnacle of their organizations.
The Appeal of Strengths-Based Development
The rationale for focusing on strengths is compelling and widely accepted. This perspective gains further support from robust data demonstrating a direct correlation between effective leadership and the number of strengths an individual has. Moreover, most people find that developing their strengths is more engaging and enjoyable.
Discover our solutions for leaders.