Barry Z. Posner

Barry Z. Posner is the Michael J. Accolti, S.J. Professor of Leadership and Chair of the Management & Entrepreneurship Department at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business. He has served as Dean of the Business School for over 12 years and is renowned for his work in leadership studies. His research focuses on leadership development, organizational behavior, and management practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, along with degrees from UC Santa Barbara and Ohio State.

• Affiliations: Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University
• Visiting Professorships: University of Western Australia, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Sabanci University (Turkey), University of Auckland (New Zealand), and Seattle University

Posner’s seminal work includes the best-selling The Leadership Challenge and the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI), used globally. He has authored over 100 articles in journals like Harvard Business Review and Academy of Management Journal. Recognized with prestigious awards, he advises Fortune 500 companies and speaks internationally on leadership.

• Awards: Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning, Top 50 Leadership Coaches (Inc.), World’s Top 75 Leadership Experts

His contributions extend to board roles at the American Institute of Architects, Global Women’s Leadership Network, and Berkeley Food Network. Posner emphasizes trust, fairness, and empowering others as core leadership principles.