JP Pawliw-Fry is a leading keynote speaker on leadership and high-performing teams, a New York Times bestselling author, and the host of the Last 8% Morning Podcast. He is also a co-founder of the Institute for Health and Human Performance (IHHP).
JP has worked with numerous organisations, including United Healthcare, Blue Cross, and Harvard, to enhance team performance and culture. He co-authored the New York Times bestseller, "Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When it Matters Most", which has been published in 65 countries and recognised as one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Business Books of the Year.
His clientele includes Fortune 100 companies such as Goldman Sachs, Google, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Salesforce, and PepsiCo, as well as the US Marines, Olympic athletes, and NBA and NFL teams. This diverse experience has allowed him to apply his science-based tools in high-pressure environments.
JP focuses on a research-based approach to understanding human performance, with his organisation surveying over 40,000 people monthly. He and his team have identified the gap between what people want to do and what they actually do, termed The Last 8%. This concept highlights the conversations and decisions that are delayed due to perceived risks, which can determine the success or failure of organisations and leaders.
As a dynamic speaker and thought leader, JP engages audiences with compelling stories and encourages them to rethink human behaviour, leadership, and pressure management in today’s fast-paced world.
In his programme, JP Pawliw-Fry addresses the challenge of delivering the last 8% of feedback, which often holds the most significant impact. Many individuals struggle to convey this crucial feedback due to emotional concerns, leading to increased anxiety and diminished performance for the recipient. Attendees will learn how to manage their emotions, understand brain responses under pressure, and develop self-awareness. Ultimately, they will gain the skills to foster psychological safety and enhance performance through effective feedback conversations.
In his impactful keynote, JP Pawliw-Fry addresses the crucial role of team culture in achieving high performance. He reveals insights from a study of 7,500 leaders, emphasising that culture is primarily built within teams, not solely by CEOs or CHROs. Attendees will learn about the two pillars of a high-performing culture—High Connection and High Courage—and gain practical tools to navigate challenging conversations. Ultimately, they will discover how to foster a culture that drives results and retains top talent.
In a time of unprecedented challenges, JP Pawliw-Fry emphasises that relying solely on IQ and technical skills is insufficient for success. His programme equips attendees with tools derived from high performers in the NFL, NBA, and Navy SEALs, enabling them to become more adaptable and resilient. Participants will learn to manage their minds for effective performance under pressure, adopt crucial daily habits to enhance focus, and develop strategies to foster team collaboration amidst adversity.
In this session, JP Pawliw-Fry addresses the significant costs of employee turnover, which can reach up to £2.6 million annually for a 100-person organisation. He highlights that 52% of departing employees cite a lack of empathy from their managers as a key factor. Attendees will learn how to cultivate emotional intelligence, enhance empathy, and implement brain-science strategies to foster resilience and effective leadership during disruptive change.
