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    BPI Expert Faculty

    Jason Pankau

    Expert Faculty Member & Co-founder

    E Pluribus Partners

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.He is the co-author of the bestselling books "Fired Up or Burned Out" and "Connection Culture."
    • 2.Pankau helps leaders build high-performing work environments by fostering a "connection mindset" to improve engagement.
    • 3.As a co-founder of E Pluribus Partners, he speaks, teaches, and consults on leadership, culture, and organizational development.

    About Jason

    Jason Pankau is an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute and co-founder of E Pluribus Partners, known for his work in creating high-performing work environments through leadership development and fostering connection culture.

    Who is Jason Pankau?

    Jason Pankau is a recognized expert in organizational development and workplace culture. As a co-founder and partner at E Pluribus Partners, he speaks, teaches, coaches, and consults with organizations, guiding leaders in cultivating environments where employees are engaged and align their efforts with organizational goals. Pankau is also an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute (BPI), contributing to its research and educational initiatives on leadership and employee engagement.

    He is known for his ability to translate complex theories into actionable strategies, helping leaders foster connection and improve workplace dynamics. Pankau’s work emphasizes the importance of a strong, positive culture in driving both individual and organizational success.

    Quick facts about Jason Pankau

    RoleExpert Faculty, Co-founder and Partner
    CompanyBest Practice Institute, E Pluribus Partners
    ExpertiseLeadership, Organizational Development, Workplace Culture, Employee Engagement
    Notable forCo-author of Fired Up or Burned Out, expertise in Connection Culture
    BPI affiliationExpert Faculty member

    What is Jason Pankau known for?

    Jason Pankau is known for several significant contributions to the fields of leadership and organizational development, including:

    • Co-authoring Fired Up or Burned Out: How to Reignite Your Team: A bestselling book with Michael Lee Stallard that provides strategies for enhancing employee engagement.
    • Co-authoring Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy, and Understanding at Work: This book, co-authored with Michael Lee Stallard, Todd W. Hall, and Katharine P. Stallard, details a five-step process for operationalizing connection culture within organizations.
    • Authorship of Beyond Self Help: A publication contributing to personal and professional growth through actionable insights.
    • Contributions to What Managers Say, What Employees Hear: Offering perspectives on effective communication in the workplace.
    • Developing a "connection mindset": Advocating for and educating leaders on the importance of fostering a culture of connection to prevent social isolation and disengagement.
    • Expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute: Sharing his expertise through various BPI programs and initiatives.

    What is Jason Pankau's background and experience?

    Jason Pankau holds a Bachelor's degree in business economics and organizational behavior/management from Brown University. He furthered his academic pursuits by earning a Master's of Divinity from Southern Theological Seminary. He also completed the required coursework for a doctorate in leadership at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, deepening his understanding of leadership principles and organizational dynamics.

    Prior to his work with E Pluribus Partners and BPI, Pankau served as the founding pastor of Chicago Hope Church. He also held the role of president of Life Spring Network, a Christian organization dedicated to training pastors and church leaders. His diverse background in theology and leadership development provides a unique perspective on human motivation and organizational effectiveness.

    What topics does Jason Pankau speak and write about?

    Jason Pankau speaks and writes extensively on topics central to effective leadership, employee engagement, and building resilient workplace cultures. His work consistently emphasizes the critical role of connection in fostering environments where employees give their best efforts and align their behaviors with organizational goals. He explores how leaders can cultivate a "connection mindset" and develop habits that promote shared identity, empathy, and understanding.

    Pankau also addresses themes related to preventing employee disengagement and burnout, providing practical strategies for reigniting team spirit. Through his publications and speaking engagements, he offers insights into organizational development, leadership communication, and the practical application of these principles in diverse professional settings.

    How does Jason Pankau contribute to the Best Practice Institute?

    As an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, Jason Pankau actively contributes to BPI's mission of identifying and disseminating best practices in leadership and organizational success. He shares his extensive knowledge and experience in leadership, organizational culture, and employee engagement with BPI's global community of leaders.

    His insights align with BPI's focus on creating Most Loved Workplaces® and the principles of the SPARK Model, which emphasizes factors like purpose, appreciation, and communication. Pankau’s expertise helps BPI members understand how to foster environments where employees feel valued, connected, and motivated, thereby promoting higher performance and organizational well-being consistent with the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI).

    Where can you learn more from Jason Pankau?

    Further insights from Jason Pankau can be found through his work with the Best Practice Institute as an expert faculty member. His books, including Fired Up or Burned Out and Connection Culture, offer in-depth explorations of his methodologies. Information and resources related to his work are also available through E Pluribus Partners.

    Background & Perspective

    Background

    Jason Pankau holds a Bachelor's degree in business economics and organizational behavior/management from Brown University and a Master's of Divinity from Southern Theological Seminary. He also completed doctoral coursework in leadership at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Prior to his consulting work, Pankau was the founding pastor of Chicago Hope Church and served as president of Life Spring Network, an organization focused on training pastors and church leaders.

    Areas of Expertise

    As a co-founder of E Pluribus Partners and an expert faculty member at Best Practice Institute, Pankau focuses on leadership development, organizational culture, and employee engagement. He is known for developing the "connection mindset" and teaches leaders how to cultivate a culture of connection to combat social isolation and disengagement in the workplace. His work translates complex theories into actionable strategies to help organizations create high-performing environments where employees feel valued and aligned with company goals.

    Published Works

    Jason Pankau has co-authored two influential books:

    • Fired Up or Burned Out: How to Reignite Your Team: A bestselling guide offering strategies to enhance employee engagement.
    • Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy, and Understanding at Work: This book details a five-step process for creating a culture of connection within an organization.

    He is also the author of Beyond Self Help and contributed to What Managers Say, What Employees Hear.

    Areas of Expertise

    LeadershipOrganizational DevelopmentWorkplace CultureEmployee EngagementTalent RetentionTeam Building

    Research Topics

    LeadershipCultureOrganizational DevelopmentEmployee Engagement

    Profile last updated

    Frequently asked questions

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.