Back to Expert Directory
    JG
    BPI Expert Faculty

    Joseph Grenny

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.He co-authored several New York Times bestsellers, including the influential book 'Crucial Conversations'.
    • 2.Grenny is a co-founder of VitalSmarts, an award-winning corporate training and organizational development company.
    • 3.He serves as Chairman and Co-founder of The Other Side Academy, a residential school for vocational and life skills training.
    • 4.He is a sought-after advisor to CEOs and senior executives on major organizational change initiatives.

    About Joseph

    Joseph Grenny is an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, renowned for his influential work in leadership, change management, and the co-authorship of multiple New York Times bestsellers.

    Who is Joseph Grenny?

    Joseph Grenny is a leading authority on leadership, organizational development, and driving behavioral change within organizations. As an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, he contributes his insights on fostering effective leadership and navigating complex organizational challenges. He is also the Chairman and Co-founder of The Other Side Academy (TOSA), a residential school dedicated to vocational and life skills training.

    Grenny's work has impacted over 100,000 leaders across various continents, from Fortune 500 boardrooms to major organizational initiatives. His ability to diagnose organizational issues and provide actionable solutions has made him a sought-after advisor for CEOs and senior executives on significant change initiatives.

    Quick facts about Joseph Grenny

    | | |---|---| | Role | Chairman and Co-founder; Expert Faculty | | Company | The Other Side Academy (TOSA); Best Practice Institute | | Expertise | Leadership, Change Management, Crucial Conversations, Organizational Performance | | Notable for | Co-author of three New York Times bestsellers, including "Crucial Conversations" and "Influencer" | | BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |

    What is Joseph Grenny known for?

    • Co-authoring New York Times Bestsellers: He has co-authored three New York Times bestsellers, including "Crucial Conversations" and "Influencer," which provide frameworks for effective communication and behavioral change.
    • Leadership and Change Management Expertise: Grenny is recognized for his deep understanding of leadership principles and his ability to guide organizations through complex change initiatives.
    • Founding VitalSmarts: He co-founded VitalSmarts, a company specializing in corporate training and organizational development, which received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year award in 2007.
    • The Other Side Academy (TOSA): As Chairman and Co-founder, he leads an innovative residential school focused on vocational and life skills training for individuals seeking change.
    • Advising Fortune 500 Companies: His advice has been instrumental in major initiatives, including Lockheed Martin's $200 billion Joint Strike Fighter program.

    What is Joseph Grenny's background and experience?

    Joseph Grenny has a career spanning decades, during which he has become a respected voice in leadership and organizational dynamics. He co-founded and served as president of California Computer Corporation before co-founding VitalSmarts, where his work in corporate training and development earned him the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year award in 2007 alongside his co-authors. Through VitalSmarts, now associated with Crucial Learning, he developed and disseminated critical frameworks for organizational effectiveness. His expertise extends to advising numerous CEOs and senior executives on transformative change initiatives. He has dedicated over two decades to teaching and advising leaders globally.

    What topics does Joseph Grenny speak and write about?

    Joseph Grenny's work centers on empowering individuals and organizations to achieve significant results through improved communication and intelligent influence. He passionately addresses themes such as crucial conversations, which involve high-stakes dialogue, and how to effectively influence behavior for positive outcomes. His presentations and writings provide audiences with practical skills and tools to diagnose organizational challenges, foster proactive behavioral change, and enhance overall organizational performance. He also explores topics related to leadership, driving organizational change, and cultivating engagement within the workplace.

    His insights provide strategies for motivating individuals and teams, leading to sustainable improvements in various aspects of professional and personal life. Grenny's work frequently appears on platforms such as the Crucial Learning blog, where he continues to share his knowledge on leading change.

    How does Joseph Grenny contribute to the Best Practice Institute?

    As an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, Joseph Grenny shares his extensive knowledge and experience in leadership, change management, and organizational development. His contributions align with BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices that foster Most Loved Workplaces® and drive organizational excellence through frameworks like the SPARK Model. While specific webinars are not currently listed, his role as an expert faculty member signifies his ongoing commitment to advancing the understanding of critical topics vital for modern leadership and employee engagement.

    Where can you learn more from Joseph Grenny?

    You can explore Joseph Grenny's insights through his published works, including his New York Times bestselling books. Further information about his expertise and contributions to organizational development can be found through his affiliation with Crucial Learning and his profile as an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute.

    Background & Perspective

    Background and Career

    Joseph Grenny has a career spanning decades, marked by significant contributions to leadership and organizational dynamics. Before his work in organizational development became globally recognized, he co-founded and served as president of California Computer Corporation. He later co-founded VitalSmarts, a prominent corporate training and development company, which earned the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year award in 2007. Through VitalSmarts (now associated with Crucial Learning), Grenny has developed and disseminated critical frameworks for organizational effectiveness, impacting over 100,000 leaders worldwide. His expertise has been sought by CEOs and senior executives at numerous Fortune 500 companies, including advising on major initiatives like Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter program.

    Areas of Expertise

    Grenny is an authority on driving behavioral change and enhancing organizational performance. His work provides actionable solutions for diagnosing and resolving organizational challenges. His primary areas of expertise include:

    • Leadership Development
    • Change Management
    • Crucial Conversations
    • Organizational Performance
    • Employee Engagement
    • Strategic Planning

    Major Contributions and Published Works

    Joseph Grenny is most widely known for co-authoring three New York Times bestsellers that provide frameworks for effective communication and behavioral change. These include the highly influential "Crucial Conversations" and "Influencer."

    Beyond his literary contributions, Grenny co-founded two impactful organizations:

    • VitalSmarts: A company specializing in corporate training and organizational development.
    • The Other Side Academy (TOSA): An innovative residential school where he serves as Chairman, which is dedicated to vocational and life skills training.

    Affiliation with Best Practice Institute

    As an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, Joseph Grenny shares his extensive knowledge in leadership, change management, and organizational development. His role involves contributing his insights on fostering effective leadership and navigating complex organizational challenges, aligning with BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices for creating high-performing workplaces.

    Areas of Expertise

    Leadership DevelopmentChange ManagementCrucial ConversationsOrganizational PerformanceEmployee EngagementStrategic PlanningSelf Development

    Research Topics

    LeadershipChange ManagementOrganizational DevelopmentLearning & 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.