How Could You Create a 5-10% Productivity Shift? 

Cathie Leimbach • February 3, 2026

When it comes to improvement at work, the focus is often on big changes. But frequently, it’s small shifts that quietly create big results.  


Productivity rarely improves without strong leadership practices. 


So, what if better leadership increased productivity by just 5-10%?  


That could mean:  

  • Less rework  
  • Faster decisions  
  • More follow-through  
  • Less firefighting  
  • More output — without more people  


That’s not wishful thinking. When leadership improves, absenteeism and turnover drop. Work flows more smoothly. Results, and the bottom line, improve.  


When leaders get clearer, communicate better, and follow through more consistently, friction fades. People know what matters. Decisions move faster. Energy shifts from fixing problems to getting real work done.  


Organizations that invest in leadership development often see:  

  • Higher output  
  • Lower turnover  
  • Better use of talent  
  • Stronger momentum  


The real shift happens when leaders stop asking, “Should we invest in leadership?” and start asking, “What is it costing us not to?”  


👉 Join our 60-minute Leadership Conversation to see what a 10–15% shift could mean for your organization. 


Leaders Who Help People Thrive

By Cathie Leimbach • July 28, 2026
From uncertainty to confident, supportive leadership conversations

The Workplace Has Changed. Has Your Leadership?

By Cathie Leimbach • July 21, 2026
There was a time when many employees expected to spend most of their careers with one organization. Job security, pensions, and long-term loyalty often kept people in the same company for decades. Today's workforce thinks differently. Millennials and Gen Z expect to build careers—not necessarily with one employer. If they don't see opportunities to learn, grow, contribute, and advance, they'll find them somewhere else. Research consistently shows that younger employees are looking for more than a paycheck. They want managers they trust, meaningful work, opportunities to develop, flexibility when possible, and a workplace where they feel respected, supported, and heard. Gallup reports that 87% of Millennials say professional development is important to their job satisfaction. Combined with growing expectations for work-life balance and a positive workplace culture, it's no surprise that organizations relying primarily on compensation to retain employees continue to struggle with turnover. The encouraging news is that leaders influence most of what keeps people engaged.  Managers who hold meaningful conversations, clarify expectations, recognize contributions, coach for growth, and genuinely care about their employees create workplaces where people want to stay. They build trust, strengthen engagement, and help employees grow, succeed, and see a future with the organization. Today's retention isn't driven by job security or loyalty alone. It's driven by a workplace experience where employees are growing, supported by leaders they trust, and confident their contributions matter. Download our Retention Conversation Guide to discover practical ways to strengthen trust, engagement, and retention—one leadership conversation at a time. Conversation is where leadership happens.