Leadership isn't just a role. Everyone can inspire others into action.

My name is Gordon Zellers

Welcome to Work of Leadership and thanks for visiting my blog.

Research suggests that everyone has the capacity to enhance leadership capabilities. Leaders come in all types of personalities and styles. My philosophy is that your personal disposition is the thing that matters most. If you desire to learn and improve, you will become a more effective leader. This site is dedicated to the “work of leadership” instead of focusing on obtaining a role or title. You will see that theme throughout this site.

I utilize academic research, evidence-based strategies, and nearly 30 years of real-life leadership experience in the corporate world to build custom leadership development programs for my clients. Please take time to read my blogs and if you are interested to learn more please contact me.

We take an evidence-based approach to leadership development. This includes using the latest academic research, validated assessment tools, and training workshops that focus on impact and return on investment for our clients.

Academic research tells us that everyone can enhance their leadership skills if they possess the personal disposition and commitment to improving. We help individuals unlock their potential and become better leaders.

Gordon Zellers

M.A Psychology, Completing my Doctorate in Organizational Leadership (2022) 25+ years of experience serving in a variety of leadership roles in the corporate world.

If you would like to contact Gordon, he can be reached at
gordon.zellers@workofleadership.com.

As an Advisor and Partner with InCite Performance Group, Gordon’s commitment to developing people to reach their full potential reflects his passion. His priorities include utilizing an evidence-based approach to deliver custom coaching solutions to our clients across North America.

Gordon endeavors to provide exceptional counsel through innovative intellectual capital that disrupts current thinking and delivers constant improvement rather than a simple reliance on “best practices”.

Gordon joined InCite after previously serving in a variety of leadership positions including managing director with Marsh & McLennan, a Fortune 500 firm, and Woodruff Sawyer, where he was the founding partner of the Denver office while serving on their Executive team. Prior to joining Marsh, Gordon also served as a Director for Cambridge Technology Partners, a publicly-held global technology consulting organization.

Having spent more than twenty five years advising clients with complex and diverse needs, Gordon has decades of real-world experience along with a research-based approach to counsel executives.

Gordon earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida (with honors), his master’s degree in psychology, and is completing work on his doctorate at Vanderbilt in Organizational Leadership (July 2022).

His continued desire to learn and apply cutting-edge concepts to his clients delivers value with a focus on ROI.

Services

Leadership Assessment via validated tools based on academic research, Corporate Leadership Development Programs, and Individual Leadership Training and Coaching,

Leadership Development

Our custom Leadership Development Programs are designed as hybrid (online and in-person) programs designed to develop the skills necessary to lead your organization at the C-Suite level. The objective is to help participants be ready to lead and manage a bigger and more complex firm than what exists today. Leadership development is critical for any firm to have effective business continuity. It cannot be a given that leaders will develop on the job without purposeful development.

We utilize validated assessment tools to begin the journey. We are able to assess each person’s current state to create a gap analysis for each participant. From there, we utilize instructor-led sessions, reading assignments, and online learning via a Learning Management System in a proven sequence that scaffolds increasingly complex information over the foundational content to enhance the capabilities of each participant.

Mission

My passion is to engage in lifelong learning. My personal mission is to acquire wisdom to benefit others in a meaningful way. After decades spent in the corporate world, I hope to help others find their passion to optimize their abilities as well. I do this best by helping others to:

A. Establish their own personal plan for continued lifelong growth and leadership learning;

B. Remind them that this is a cyclical, never-ending process of learning; and

C. Develop a Personal Developmental Plan via the right method for them to make the most significant impact.

References

Gordon has been a mentor and coach to me for more than eight years starting when I was launching into my career. Through Gordon’s leadership and guidance, I have not only seen professional success but have grown as a person from his insightfulness. He truly helped me develop my style of sales, leadership, and professionalism that has made me successful through different courses my career has taken while allowing my personality to shine. I cannot speak highly enough of Gordon!

Gordon has had the greatest professional influence on my leadership approach and how I interact with my team, clients, and prospective clients. He taught me effective strategies around positioning value, addressing challenges, and developing winning partnerships. These critical skills have assisted me throughout my career. I most recently led a team of over 200 colleagues throughout 20 offices for a Top 5 Insurance Broker and recorded record growth and profit margins during this time.

I cannot say enough great things about Gordon. He was my manager, mentor, and friend for 3-years. As busy as he was, he always made time for us. He allowed us to express our thoughts and ideas, encouraging us to grow in our roles, and as individuals. Gordon didn’t always give us easy answers - but, he gave us regular feedback and encouragement, to make us feel proud of the work we accomplished. He made suggestions, and was supportive when there were times we needed his guidance. Anyone would be so lucky to work with someone of his integrity, character, and the vigor he brings with everything he does!

Gordon is a true leader who demonstrates a passion for getting things right and getting things done, both effectively and efficiently. I worked with Gordon on a particularly challenging data science project where we sought to gain insights from a national data set that would inform how we might consult and engage with a client on their long-term strategy. Gordon took the lead in devising a strategy to mine the data, pull insights in a manner that would be beneficial to the client and helped to develop a story that would impact the business's bottom line. I am grateful for the opportunity to know Gordon and look forward to working with him on future projects. If ever given the opportunity, I highly recommend engaging with this tremendous leader and consultant. You will not be disappointed

Going above and beyond for people and for the business. He is an expert and highly skilled at sales, operations and leadership. Collaborative and genuinely cares about people and his clients (and his prospects too). Develops and maintains professional relationship which eventually become friendships. Trustworthy and honest. Amicable enjoyable thoughtful intelligent person. I'm glad we worked together in the past and proud to be his friend today.

Gordon recruited and hired me at Woodruff Sawyer. It was the strength of his character and authentic approach to business that was most appealing. As a 25 year insurance industry veteran, I know what it takes to be successful long term and I can spot manipulation a mile away. Gordon's ability to empathize with my situation and provide thought leadership around how to achieve my goals and objectives was a breath of fresh air. Gordon's leadership style starts with high emotional intelligence and the ability to put others front and center. Bottom line - work with Gordon if you want to increase your wins.