Leading in Times of Challenge with Larry Zimpleman

As the retired Chairman, President and CEO of Principal Financial Group, Larry Zimpleman has faced adversity and overcome challenges that can be applied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Larry served for 45 years within the financial services industry. He joined Principal in 1971 as an intern before transitioning to various management and leadership positions. Larry led the company through the financial crisis in 2008.

Larry Zimpleman Leadership Tips

Larry discusses a multitude of challenges, including the oil embargo of ’74, the market crash in ’87, the tech crash in ’00, the financial crisis in ’08 and, most recently, the pandemic in ’20. We see a situation like this once every 10-15 years, Larry says. Understanding that these things will happen can give us a baseline to prepare and get through similar events in the future.

The Leading in Times of Challenge podcast was previously produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. To learn more about community events and leadership, check out The Partnership blog.