Increasing Profits Requires Skilled Managers

Cathie Leimbach • August 21, 2023

Best way to strengthen your bottom line

Effective managers play a pivotal role in driving increased company profits. Their leadership and management skills directly impact the bottom line either negatively or positively. Millennials and Gen Z employees are not willing to tolerate the emotionally draining workplace conditions that older generations put up with. Also, recent research shows that managers themselves are less engaged than ever. Today, fewer managers are modeling positivity, commitment, and initiative. Many are not inspiring employee productivity. No wonder business owners and senior managers are concerned about declining profits. 


Effective managers are adept communicators, ensuring seamless information flow among individuals and between departments. This alignment helps employees feel respected and informed, increasing their commitment to doing their work well. Also, good communication reduces errors and delays, positively affecting workplace timelines and outcomes. How have your managers been trained in clear, inspiring two-way communication skills?


Also, effective managers nurture talent by offering guidance and growth opportunities. A skilled workforce is more productive and innovative, contributing to enhanced profitability. How often do your managers catch employees doing things right and praise them, kindly coach them to correct underperformance, and encourage them to participate in ongoing learning opportunities?


Prioritizing employee engagement is a hallmark of effective managers. A positive work environment boosts morale, reduces turnover, and increases loyalty. Engaged employees are more likely to invest discretionary effort, directly impacting customer satisfaction, and consequently, company profits. Only 33% of employees are actively engaged, yet, in a few organizations

engagement exceeds 90%? How does your company’s employee engagement rate compare?    


In summary, effective managers significantly contribute to increased company profits through quality communication, talent development, and employee engagement. Although the role of managers is to help employees be highly successful, many have not yet had the opportunity to develop the leadership skills that are essential for cultivating a thriving workplace and driving

financial growth. 


What are you going to do this week to strengthen your managers’ skills so they in turn can lead your workforce effectively, improving your organization’s financial position?


You may wish to learn more about Conversational Management training, or register one of your managers in a unique Lorain County Conversational Leadership workshop.

Looking Ahead to a Fruitful 2026

By Cathie Leimbach • December 30, 2025
As the New Year approaches, it’s a natural time to look forward and ask what you want the next chapter to bring. One simple way to reflect to ask yourself three questions to create a stronger year ahead, what should you: Stop?, Continue?, and Start? Stop focusing energy on habits, meetings, or expectations that no longer serve you or your team. This might mean letting go of outdated processes, unnecessary urgency, or ways of working that drain momentum without adding value. Continue the practices that helped you gain traction this year. Think about what worked—perhaps clear communication, strong collaboration, consistent follow-through, or time spent developing people. These are the behaviors worth protecting and reinforcing. Start being intentional about what will move you forward in 2026. This could include setting clearer priorities, investing in leadership development, building healthier team rhythms, or creating space for innovation and growth. Taking time to reflect now helps you enter the New Year with purpose rather than pressure. Small, thoughtful shifts can create meaningful impact over time. Ready to turn reflection into action?  👉 View our Stop • Continue • Start Worksheet for a simple, practical way to reset priorities, build on what’s working, and step into 2026 with clarity and momentum.

Take a Moment for Joy

By Cathie Leimbach • December 23, 2025
As the year comes to a close, it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: What brought you joy this year at work and in life? Joy doesn’t always arrive in big, headline moments. Often, it shows up quietly—in meaningful conversations, shared laughter, progress made, lessons learned, or the steady presence of people who support us. Sometimes joy is found in growth, sometimes in rest, and sometimes in simply getting through a challenging season with resilience and grace. Take a few minutes to reflect. What moments made you smile? When did you feel most connected? For what are you grateful? This reflection isn’t about ignoring the hard parts of the year. It’s about honoring the bright spots that sustained you through them. Recognizing joy helps us close the year with perspective and open the next one with hope. As the holidays approach, give yourself permission to slow down, savor meaningful moments, and share joy with others—through kindness, gratitude, and presence.  May this season be filled with moments that lift your spirit, and may you carry that joy with you into the year ahead. 👉 Take a moment to pause this season—view the Reflecting on Joy one-pager and reflect on what brought meaning to your work and life this year. Wishing you a truly joy-filled Christmas season .