Five takeaways from a Conversation with data-led leadership expert Jack Zenger
That was the central question of our recent fireside chat, When the Ground Shifts: What Extraordinary Leaders Do Differently, with Open Water CEO & co-founder Ben Shoshan, Extraordinary Leader Coach Jonathan Bowder, and Jack Zenger, co-founder of Zenger Folkman and a pioneer in strengths-based leadership.
From data-backed insight to field-tested leadership strategies, the session highlighted what really separates extraordinary leaders from the rest – especially when the stakes are high.
Traditional leadership development often focuses on fixing what’s weakest – but real transformation happens when we focus on what’s already strong.
“Stop asking ‘what are we lacking?’ and start asking ‘what’s closest to the 90th percentile?’”
The most impactful leaders are those who build on a handful of standout strengths. It’s about choosing to benchmark against excellence, not mediocrity. When leaders focus on amplifying what already works, they unlock greater potential – not just in themselves, but in those around them.
Let’s stop comparing to the mean average and benchmark against excellence.
Trust is often seen as a soft skill, but the team at Zenger Folkman have codified it through data. They’ve observed that the most trusted leaders consistently demonstrate three traits: good judgement, consistency, and strong relationship-building skills.
Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s the foundation for high performance. It creates the conditions for collaboration, faster decision-making, and risk-taking. And crucially, it’s not fixed. Trust can be developed, nurtured, and strengthened over time.
“The data shows that trust is the one leadership behaviour that can positively or negatively affect everything else you do.”
Boldness is a powerful leadership capability that’s shown to raise performance. Leaders can develop boldness when they pair it with strategic vision, results-orientation, good judgement, and strong relationships.
However, boldness without empathy or humility can veer into dangerous territory.
The leaders who make the biggest impact balance bold action with human understanding. Jack shared a powerful formula:
Bold + Good Judgement + People Smarts = High-Impact Leadership
Otherwise? Boldness is just a bulldozer.
The most effective leaders are the ones willing to be coached. They don’t just tolerate feedback – they actively seek it.
Ask yourself: “How might I be getting in my own way?”
There’s a compelling case for coachability as a multiplier: leaders who are curious about their impact grow faster, adapt better, and lift those around them.
360-degree feedback stands out as the most useful, scalable, and accurate approach to assessing leadership effectiveness. What makes it so powerful is that it brings together feedback from multiple directions – managers, peers, and direct reports – the people who actually observe your behaviour every day.
“Truth-tellers in the room always rise to the surface.”
Not sure about your 360 feedback? Ask your team. Ask your peers. Ask your kids. What matters is your willingness to listen, reflect, and act.
Leadership isn’t a solo pursuit – it’s a cultural force.
Great leadership is contagious.
When organisations invest in leadership development, the impact ripples outward. The data shows that even leaders who haven’t been through a program often raise their game when surrounded by others who have. When one leader gets better, the whole system lifts.
“This rising tide of leadership effectiveness lifted all boats.”
At Open Water, we believe that in times of challenge and change, it’s the human side of leadership that makes the biggest difference. That’s why we work with life sciences organisations around the world to build the trust, alignment, and clarity leaders need to navigate uncertainty – and lead with purpose.
Missed the live session? Watch the recording here
Open Water is offering short 1:1 “Leadership Surgery” sessions a space to talk through your context and challenges with one of their leadership experts or consultant coaches.
No fixed agenda. Just space to uncover new ways of seeing and doing. Book here
Specialists in the human side of change, we partner with leading life science organisations to deliver deep change and cultural transformation.