Here’s our interview with Greg Zlevor, Founder of HopeMakers, President of Westwood International, 9x Amazon Best-Selling Author, and TEDx speaker, about his rules for success.

With over 25 years of experience, Greg is a globally recognized executive leadership development and education expert. As the President and Founder of Westwood International, Greg Zlevor has partnered with organizations across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Australia to help leaders unlock their full potential and drive transformative success.

Greg Zlevor’s Background

Greg Zlevor’s insights and approaches have been widely acclaimed, earning him a reputation as a trusted advisor for organizations striving to build resilient and forward-thinking leaders.

Mindmap

Greg Zlevor’s Questions and Discussions

Here’s a bullet-point summary of the questions and discussions from our interview with Greg:

1. Introduction to Greg Zlevor

• Greg is a globally recognized executive leadership expert with over 25 years of experience.
• He is the President and Founder of Westwood International and a nine-time bestselling author.
• Greg is also the founder of the HopeMakers Collective and serves on the board of the Hope Foundation.

2. Origins and Passion for Leadership

• Greg began his career as a high school science teacher and football coach, then became a chaplain at Boston College, where he led retreats and leadership programs.
• His fascination with how teams work led him to leadership development, combining interpersonal facilitation with strategic insight.

3. The Birth of HopeMakers

• At the start of the pandemic, a major healthcare company asked Greg Zlevor to train 50,000 employees to bring hope while delivering services.
• Although they ultimately chose Accenture for the project, Greg continued the vision, forming the HopeMakers Collective with a core group of 30–50 global change agents.

4. HopeMakers in Action

• The group meets twice a year in person and collaborates on various service projects, including an upcoming initiative in Kolkata, India, in January 2026 with the Hope Foundation.
• The collective’s core values are: listen, appreciate what’s working, serve, think big together, and GSH (make good stuff happen).

5. Creating High-Performing Teams

• Greg works with companies like GE, United Airlines, and Singapore Police, focusing on trust, candor, decision-making processes, and shared airtime.
• He emphasizes leadership presence, emotional intelligence, and adaptability as crucial skills for resilient leaders.

6. The Importance of Resilience

• Resilience, according to Greg, is a mindset, not a technique. It involves learning from past experiences and applying those lessons to present challenges.
• He draws on research by Martin Seligman to differentiate resilient versus non-resilient thinking.

7. Handling Burnout and Emotional Intelligence

• Greg teaches that emotions carry messages. When leaders feel overwhelmed, they should pause, understand the message, and act accordingly rather than reacting impulsively.
• This approach is echoed in his TED Talk, How the Wise Live Wisely.

8. AI, Authenticity, and Leadership Integrity

• Greg discussed a cautionary tale of AI misuse when a marketing firm used fake LinkedIn profiles in his name.
• He emphasized the importance of authenticity in branding and communication, even while adopting AI for internal training and learning systems.

9. Community as a Core Legacy

• For Greg Zlevor, legacy means nurturing loving relationships and fostering communities that prioritize love, connection, and shared purpose.He sees the growing need for interpersonal skills, especially in a tech-heavy world, as a call to action for more facilitators and leaders.

10. Workshops and Masterclasses by Greg Zlevor

• Greg runs High-Performing Teams workshops for companies and is launching a Masterclass starting June 4 for individuals who want to coach or lead high-performing teams.
• These trainings are also going global, with upcoming engagements in the Middle East and ongoing work with HopeMakers.

11. Daily Rituals and Grounding Practices

• Greg begins and ends his day with hugs from his wife, daily meditation (30–45 minutes), exercise, sauna with cold showers, and regular prayer.

Greg Zlevor believes we should build strong relationships and communities that foster respect, creativity, and hope. The world needs more facilitators who can bridge gaps, rebuild trust, and lead with authenticity. He is a visionary leader who believes that leadership is rooted in connection and emotional intelligence. Greg continues to impact boardrooms and underserved communities alike with a message of authenticity, trust, and transformational leadership. If you want help for you or your team unlock their leadership potential and cultivate high-performing cultures, contact Greg Zlevor at https://www.westwoodintl.com.

Onward and Upwards,

Joseph