Contribution Expands Trust

Cathie Leimbach • August 30, 2022

“Few things build trust quicker than actual results,” says David Horsager. “At the end of the day, people need to see outcomes. You can have compassion and character, but without the results you promised, people won’t trust you. Be a contributor who delivers real results.”

People trust those who make a difference for the organization. When anyone focuses on achieving stated mission and goals, they are making a meaningful contribution. This includes doing their own work well and supporting others to be successful.

Let’s look at four characteristics which many highly-rated contributors have in common.


1 - Ability to Plan and Organize Their Work

Contributors:

  • Manage their time and others’ time well
  • Handle multiple demands and deadlines
  • Monitor their progress without much oversight

 

2 - Strong Interpersonal Communication

Contributors:

  • Articulate their thoughts clearly
  • Ensure they are understood and understand others
  • Share helpful information with others

 

3 - Effective at Collaboration

Contributors:

  • Maintain cooperative work relationships with others
  • Assist others in the completion of their tasks to support group goals
  • Collaborate during meetings and in informal settings

 

4 - Ability to Deliver Consistent Results

Contributors:

  • Are dependable
  • Work on the right tasks to ensure they achieve priority results
  • Take personal responsibility for achieving outcomes


Interpersonal skills as well as effectively planning and completing work are essential characteristics of top contributors. Those who develop these skills and regularly focus on fulfilling their responsibilities will be acknowledged as valuable contributors. In turn, they will be trusted and respected by their colleagues.

Which of these four important characteristics are strengths for you? Which could be your next growth area? What is one change you could make in these areas to increase your workplace contribution, increasing the level of trust others have in you? 

The Performance Gap: Why Half Your Team is Burning Out

By Cathie Leimbach • September 30, 2025
Based on insights from James Hewitt's "Regenerative Performance" Something's not adding up in today's workplace. While companies demand more from their teams, the results tell a concerning story. Research shows that 50% of employees now show clear signs of burnout, and an alarming 73% feel disconnected from their work. James Hewitt, performance expert and author of "Regenerative Performance," points to a critical mismatch. We're asking people to perform at peak levels without giving them what they need to recover and recharge. Think of it like a smartphone. You can't expect your phone to run at full power all day without plugging it in. Yet that's exactly what we're doing to our workforce. We pile on meetings, deadlines, and pressure while cutting back on the very things that restore energy: breaks, development time, and meaningful connection. The solution isn't working less—it's working smarter. Hewitt's research reveals that sustainable high performance comes from balancing intense effort with intentional recovery. Teams that build in time to recharge actually outperform those that push through exhaustion. Smart leaders are already making the shift. They're protecting their people's energy as carefully as they manage their budgets. Because burned-out employees don't just hurt themselves—they hurt the bottom line too. Want to dive deeper into this issue? View The Burnout Crisis to understand the full scope of this workplace challenge. "Sustainable high performance comes from the rhythm of oscillation—not from the intensity of effort alone." —James Hewitt

Why Boring Beats Brilliant

By Cathie Leimbach • September 23, 2025
Craig Groeschel's Blueprint for Real Leadership