The Manager Effect: How Good Leadership Drives Business Success

Cathie Leimbach • September 16, 2025

Your manager might be the key to your company's bottom line. Gallup's extensive research shows that quality managers don't just make employees happier—they directly boost financial results.


The Numbers Don't Lie

Gallup studied thousands of business units and found striking patterns. Teams with engaged managers see 23% higher profitability compared to those with disengaged leaders. The research also reveals that companies in the top quartile for employee engagement achieve 10% higher customer ratings and 18% higher productivity.


What Makes the Difference?

Great managers create a ripple effect throughout their teams:

·        Boost employee engagement - Engaged workers are 31% more productive and have 37% better sales performance

·        Reduce turnover costs - Good managers cut voluntary turnover by up to 40%

·        Improve customer satisfaction - Teams with strong leadership see 12% better customer metrics

·        Drive innovation - Engaged employees are 3x more likely to contribute new ideas


The research is clear: investing in manager development isn't just good for morale—it's essential for financial success. Companies that prioritize manager training see measurable improvements in revenue, profit margins, and overall business performance. Check out our visual breakdown to see all the numbers in action.


Ready to transform your bottom line? Schedule a 15-minute meeting with Cathie Leimbach to share your hopes and explore how Agon Leadership might be able to assist you in upskilling your managers so they are equipped to help today's employees excel.

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