Most leaders can handle the easy 92 percent of their day. It is the remaining 8 percent that defines them. In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry, one of the world’s leading authorities on pressure, performance, and the neuroscience of leadership.
JP is the New York Times bestselling author of Performing Under Pressure and co-founder of the Institute for Health and Human Potential. For more than 25 years, he has coached and trained elite performers and teams across NASA, the CIA, the US Army and Navy, the Olympics, the NBA, the NFL, and global Fortune 100 companies, including Google, Goldman Sachs, Coca-Cola, BMW, IBM, and Johnson & Johnson. His research on leadership behavior and culture has appeared in Harvard Business Review and media outlets worldwide.
In this conversation, JP explains the Last 8 Percent, the small but critical set of difficult moments that disproportionately shape organizational culture, execution, and long-term success. He shares insights from neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and his upcoming book, The Last 8 Percent, outlining why leaders know what they should do but often avoid doing it. JP describes how his Last 8 Percent Culture System has helped organizations transform performance, including an example where Blue Cross Idaho saved tens of millions of dollars in the first six months of implementation.
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In this episode, you will learn:
☑️ Why the toughest conversations have the biggest impact on results
☑️ The neuroscience behind pressure and avoidance
☑️ How leaders use the Last 8 Percent to close the gap between intent and action
☑️ Why high-performing cultures require both courage and connection
☑️ Tools to improve accountability and decision-making under stress
☑️ What elite athletes, special forces, and executives all have in common
This episode is for:
▶️ CEOs and executives navigating complex decisions
▶️ Leaders working to build healthier, more courageous cultures
▶️ Teams striving for better performance under pressure
▶️ Anyone looking to strengthen resilience, clarity, and emotional intelligence
About the Guest
Dr. JP Pawliw-Fry is a thought leader, keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling author known for helping organizations turn pressure into a competitive advantage. He is the co-founder and President of the Institute for Health and Human Potential, one of Profit Magazine’s fastest growing companies, and a highly rated lecturer for Kellogg School of Management’s Executive Education Program. His Last 8 Percent framework is used by elite performers and major organizations worldwide to create measurable performance and financial gains. His upcoming book, The Last 8 Percent, explores how leaders can build cultures of courage, accountability, and connection.
Learn more: jppawliw-fry.com
Connect with JP: linkedin.com/in/jppawliwfry
About the Host
Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With more than 14 years of experience, he helps leadership teams create alignment, implement strategy, and achieve measurable results.
Connect with Anthony: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604
About SME Strategy
SME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and implementation. We help organizations align their teams around a shared vision so they can focus on what truly drives results.
Learn more: smestrategy.net
Podcast produced by: www.rednyne.com