Naftali Zanziper lives by a rhythm shaped less by schedules and more by responsiveness. Each day begins early with spiritual practice, followed by direct involvement in preparing his six children for school. But from the moment they leave, the day opens into a series of shifting demands—business oversight, emergency medical responses, community work, and personal development. His ability to manage this spectrum stems not from perfect organization but from the agility to navigate what each moment requires.
His view of productivity is grounded in self-awareness rather than imitation. While others may follow tightly structured morning routines or copy trends they believe lead to success, Zanziper draws a clear line. He doesn’t believe a Ferrari or a retreat defines happiness, nor does he assume that replicating someone else’s habits will yield the same results. Instead, he focuses on personal clarity—knowing what must be done, aligning effort accordingly, and leaving space for adaptation when needed.
Throughout his day, Zanziper shifts between structured business leadership and real-time crisis response. As a nationally certified paramedic, he is on call 24/7, fielding emergency situations at any hour. Whether it’s during prayer, meals, or the middle of the night, he answers calls with steady readiness. This level of engagement could overwhelm many, but Zanziper integrates it fluidly into his life, understanding that genuine service does not follow a predictable timetable.
That mindset carries into how he guides his teams. In the nursing home sector, Zanziper emphasizes fundamentals over expansion. He believes that no matter how large an organization becomes, the foundational elements—process consistency, interpersonal conduct, operational clarity—must remain intact. A receptionist’s tone, for example, is not just about greetings but about shaping the emotional atmosphere of an entire facility. It’s in these moments that culture is either reinforced or lost.
He expects his staff to understand this dynamic and trains them accordingly. Younger administrators are encouraged to learn the intricacies of billing, reimbursement, and insurance procedures—even if these aren’t directly in their job scope. His belief is simple: the more you understand, the better you lead. This comprehensive approach prepares teams not only to perform but to anticipate and manage the complexities of healthcare operations.
Zanziper’s personal practices support this philosophy. Physical activity is a regular part of his weekly schedule, though not bound to rigid hours. Whether he’s running, working with a trainer, or playing sports, movement provides a counterbalance to the mental and emotional demands of his work. It’s also a tool for clarity. When a situation becomes too overwhelming, he doesn’t hesitate to put on his running shoes and take to the pavement—a literal step away that often helps him return with sharper focus.
This same mindset extends into family and recreational life. Ice hockey, which he recently took up with a group of adult amateurs, has become a space where personal growth and connection intersect. Motivated by his son’s interest in the sport, Zanziper committed to training and equipment, turning a shared pastime into a full-fledged activity that strengthens their relationship while challenging him physically and mentally. The investment goes far beyond dollars—it reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and shared experience.
His self-reflection also plays a role in how he evaluates his own growth. Looking back, Naftali Zanziper acknowledges that avoiding discomfort early in his career limited his exposure to essential knowledge areas. Today, he advocates for pushing into those discomforts—whether that means learning software, understanding financial systems, or exploring unfamiliar roles. The lesson he carries forward is clear: comfort is rarely the place where progress begins.
This same belief guides his leadership choices. He is known for giving people repeated chances, even when others advise otherwise. While some see this as leniency, Zanziper views it as long-range investment. He believes people often need more time, more context, and better support to reveal their true capabilities. It’s a belief not always shared, but one that has often led to turnaround stories others had written off too early.
Naftali Zanziper leads by doing. He embraces disruption, values effort over appearance, and builds systems that reflect the reality of life as it is—not as it’s expected to be. Through this lens, leadership becomes not an abstract ideal but a day-to-day expression of patience, awareness, and trust in the process.
