Disagreement - A Sign of a Healthy Team

Cathie Leimbach • September 13, 2022

“Conflict is the natural result of talented, driven people bumping into one another,” says Todd Henry.

When we think about how to achieve our goals and overcome our obstacles, we usually come up with great ideas that could work for us. Our teammates, however, are different people with different experiences, personalities, and strengths which position them to suggest different approaches. 

Many leaders and team members are proud to declare that they don’t have any conflicts or disagreements at work. However, this isn’t really something to be proud of. It is a sign that the workplace may not be an emotionally safe place to share one’s ideas or the team members aren’t independent thinkers.

Here are a few common unhealthy realities in organizations that don’t experience conflict.

  • There is no accountability to achieving priorities, so there is no push for quality work.
  • Nobody cares about the mission of the organization, so there is no passion about how the work gets done.
  • Leaders hire improperly so employees often lack the competence to have independent ideas or the confidence to share them.  

In an emotionally safe environment with right-fit hires and right-seat assignments, team members often share diverse ideas. This can frequently lead to discord. Here are some tips for managing the discord in a healthy, respectful manner.

  • Argue over ideas, not people or personalities. Keep your conversation focused on the topic at hand, not on perceived characteristics of the people involved.
  • Make sure you are clear what the conflict is – that you are talking about the same primary issue. 
  • Look for the good points in each other’s perspectives. Listen to each other and ask questions to fully understand where they are coming from. Find common ground before addressing your differences.

 What is one aspect of healthy conflict management that you can implement in your workplace? 

3 Ways Toxic Workplace Culture Hurts Everyone

By Cathie Leimbach • June 24, 2025
A toxic workplace can make even the best job feel like a nightmare. When negativity takes over, it creates serious problems that affect everyone involved. Lower Productivity and Performance - When employees feel stressed, unappreciated, or constantly criticized, their work quality drops. People spend more time worrying about drama than focusing on their tasks. This means projects take longer to finish, and the company's overall results suffer. Workers who feel beaten down simply can't give their best effort. High Employee Turnover - Nobody wants to stay in a place where they feel miserable. Toxic environments cause good employees to quit and look for better opportunities elsewhere. This creates a costly cycle where companies constantly need to hire and train new people. The remaining staff gets overworked trying to cover for those who left. Mental Health Problems - Toxic workplaces take a real toll on people's well-being. Employees often experience increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. This doesn't just hurt them at work – it affects their personal lives too. When people dread going to work every day, it impacts their relationships and overall happiness. To consider whether your culture might be toxic and what you can do about it, click here to learn about 8 Signs of a Toxic Culture and suggestions for overcoming the negativity. Having a positive workplace culture isn't just nice to have – it's essential for success. What action could you take to create a healthier workplace culture?

How Leadership Growth Drives Business Performance

By Cathie Leimbach • June 17, 2025
Herminia Ibarra’s research offers compelling insight into why leadership development should be viewed as a strategic priority. Her work shows that helping leaders grow isn’t just beneficial for individuals—it significantly improves how organizations operate and perform. Ibarra explores how leadership identity evolves over time. When managers step back from daily tasks and begin thinking and acting more strategically, it creates ripple effects across the organization. Teams become more engaged, decision-making improves, and execution becomes more effective. These shifts enhance productivity, innovation, and retention—key drivers of long-term success. Her research also highlights the value of building strong leadership pipelines. Companies that invest in leaders who are adaptable, self-aware, and skilled at big-picture thinking tend to be more agile and resilient. These organizations are better equipped to respond to change and seize new opportunities. By reframing leadership development as a strategic investment rather than a soft skill, Ibarra shows how it creates measurable improvements in performance across the organization. Growth in leadership capacity leads to smarter decisions, healthier cultures, and stronger overall results. 👉 For a deeper dive into the data, click here to view Insights from Herminia Ibarra’s Research on Leadership Development and its Measurable Impact.
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