Rethinking HR & Relationship Building— The Underdog Champion

The 90th Percentile: An Unconventional Leadership Podcast shares the latest leadership research, trends, and what it really takes for leaders to get to the 90th percentile of effectiveness. These short, impactful episodes are hosted weekly by industry experts Jack Zenger, Joe Folkman, and BreAnne Okoren.

Hello!

?It’s BreAnne, writing the podcast newsletter this week.

These days, it’s easy to fall for the "relationship hype," thinking that bonding over the office coffee machine is your ticket to the corporate penthouse.

Episode 117: "You Should Care More About Your Relationship Building Skills"

Zenger Folkman conducted a survey with 12,299 managers and discovered a fascinating insight: relationship-building, while ranking 8th in importance for performance, isn't merely about sharing weekend tales. Instead, this ability to genuinely connect with others amplifies every other skill on a manager's desired capabilities list.

Manager’s Top Ranked Skills Wishlist:

1. Establishes Stretch Goals ??

2. Drives for Results ??

3. Inspires and Motivates Others ??

4. Displays High Integrity and Honesty ??

5. Takes Initiative ??

6. Technical or Professional Expertise ??

7. Solves Problems and Analyzes Issues ??

8. Builds Relationship ??

This graph will have you believe that relationship-building is like the supportive best friend in every rom-com: often overlooked but making all the difference. Turns out, those with strong relationship-building chops also scored higher in all the other seven skills.

?So, while relationship-building may not wear the crown , it’s the power behind the throne. And hey, next time you’re by the coffee machine, remember: it's not just about the caffeine but the connections, too.

Episode 118: What Separates Great HR Leaders from the Rest

For our episode this week, we are turning our attention over to our often picked-on friends, HR. ?

HR has the inside scoop, but what they may not be aware of is that their weakness in key skills may be holding them back.

?Zenger Folkman 's deep dive into over 5,000 global HR leaders shows their strengths, unsurprisingly, lie in areas like:?

? Developing others

? Being coachable & receptive to feedback

? Championing DEI initiatives

It's the areas of potential growth that are the real game-changers. Feedback from managers, peers, and direct reports points towards these pivotal skills as the cornerstones of future success:

?? Ability to anticipate & swiftly tackle challenges

?? Expanding strategic vision to embrace the broader picture

?? Transitioning from a solely internal lens to a more external focus

"?On a number of occasions, we have watched as senior executives ask for a program or process to be rolled out quickly only to have HR respond, "It takes more time than that—we need to slow the process down.” While at times that is necessary advice, too often it is the first response given by HR without considering what could be done to speed the process and move quickly." - Jack Zenger

If there's a goal for HR leaders, it's clear: elevate your game by honing these essential skills. Because the future of HR isn't just about supporting—it's about leading with vision and agility.

Subscribe to catch our episode next week on uninspiring leaders.

-Bre

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Have you just started listening? Here are some other episodes we HIGHLY recommend.

Episode 76: Identifying and Managing Microstressors with Karen Dillon

Episode 104: The Lost Art of Asking Good Questions

Episode 113: Entering The Learning Zone with Kevin Wilde

Zenger Folkman combines hard data with actionable applications dedicated to helping individual leaders thrive and organizations succeed.

The discipline of leadership requires more than occasional training. We help leaders utilize their strengths and embrace a lifestyle of continuous learning and growth.

Learn more at zengerfolkman.com .