The Impact of Trustworthy Leaders

Cathie Leimbach • May 22, 2023

5-fold increase in employee engagement

Trust in leadership is crucial for organizational success, as revealed by Gallup research. It plays a significant role in building strong relationships, fostering employee engagement, and driving performance.

Gallup's studies consistently indicate that employees who trust their leaders feel more motivated, committed, and satisfied.

  • When followers strongly agree they trust their leaders, 1 in 2 are engaged.
  • When followers don’t find leaders trustworthy, only 1 in 12 are engaged.

Trust creates a sense of safety, enabling individuals to take risks, collaborate, and innovate. Additionally, trust in leadership positively affects employee retention, as people are more likely to stay in organizations where they have faith in their leaders.

Trust also extends to customers. Gallup's research shows that businesses with trustworthy leaders enjoy greater customer loyalty. Trustworthiness influences consumer perceptions of product quality, reliability, and overall satisfaction.

To cultivate trust, leaders must demonstrate integrity, transparency, and accountability. They should communicate openly, listen actively, and align their words with their actions. Prioritizing trust allows leaders to foster a culture of engagement, collaboration, and high performance, essential for succeeding in today's competitive landscape.

Leadership Development: The Hidden Superpower for Your Business

By Cathie Leimbach • April 29, 2025
Ever wonder why some companies consistently outperform their competitors? According to Ram Charan's "Leaders at All Levels," the secret often lies in their approach to leadership development. Think about it: when organizations invest in developing leaders at every level, they're not just checking a box for HR—they're directly fueling their economic engine. Charan says that leadership talent is actually the biggest constraint on business growth worldwide. Too many companies treat leadership development as a nice-to-have program rather than a strategic necessity. But those who get it right create a continuous chain reaction of leadership excellence throughout their organization, resulting in measurable business advantages. The most successful companies don't just develop executives at the top. They identify potential leaders early, move them through increasingly challenging assignments, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to drive performance at every level. In today's competitive landscape, your leadership pipeline isn't just about succession planning—it's about creating the sustainable competitive advantage that drives superior business results and economic performance right now.

The Power of Reflective Listening at Work

By Cathie Leimbach • April 22, 2025
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.
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