Jim Clifton

Chairman of Gallup Inc.

Jim Clifton is the Chairman and CEO of Gallup, a prominent global analytics and advisory firm. He has held the CEO position since 1988, transitioning to Chairman in 2022. Under his leadership, Gallup expanded significantly, establishing 30 offices across 20 countries, transforming it from a U.S.-centric organization into a worldwide entity.1 2

Contributions and Innovations

Clifton is known for creating The Gallup Path, a metric-based economic model that connects human behavior in the workplace with customer engagement and business outcomes. This model is widely adopted in performance management systems across over 500 companies globally. Additionally, he initiated the Gallup World Poll in 2005, which gathers data on key global issues from a diverse range of respondents worldwide.1 2

Publications

He is an accomplished author, having written several bestselling books including:

It's the Manager (No. 1 Wall Street Journal bestseller)
Culture Shock (released in 2023)
Born to Build
The Coming Jobs War

His writings focus on leadership, workplace dynamics, and entrepreneurship.1 2 3

Philanthropy and Education

In 2015, Clifton announced a $30 million donation to the University of Nebraska to establish the Don Clifton Strengths Institute, aimed at nurturing future entrepreneurs. He also serves on various boards, including the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, and has received honorary degrees from multiple universities.1 2

Personal Background

Jim Clifton resides in Washington, D.C., and is married to Susan Clifton. He has a background in psychology and education, influenced by his father, Dr. Donald O. Clifton, a noted psychologist and educator.1 2