Why Great Leaders Are Worth Every Penny

Cathie Leimbach • July 8, 2025

Based on research by Boris Groysberg, Harvard Business School

When it comes to business success, leadership matters more than you might think. Harvard researcher Boris Groysberg studied top companies and found that leadership talent has a major impact on the bottom line. The best leaders don’t just manage teams—they drive profits, boost performance, and shape strong workplace cultures.


One approach that stands out is conversational leadership—leaders who listen well, ask thoughtful questions, and encourage open dialogue. Groysberg’s research shows that this kind of communication builds trust, keeps employees engaged, and leads to smarter, faster decision-making.


Companies that invest in leadership development—especially in communication skills—see better results across the board. Skilled leaders create high-performing teams and help people do their best work.


On the flip side, poor leadership can be expensive. It leads to high turnover, low morale, and missed business opportunities. Real life case studies show that the improvement in the annual bottom line can range from 4 to 20 times the cost of Conversational Management training.


The takeaway? Leadership isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a business strategy. Want better results? Start by building better leaders—and better conversations.

Thanksgiving: Beyond the Turkey and Thank-You Notes

By Cathie Leimbach • November 25, 2025
As leaders, we know Thanksgiving week is prime time for employee appreciation. But here's the thing—a generic "thanks everyone" email hits differently for different people. Dr. Paul White's research on the 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace offers a smarter approach. Just like people receive love differently, your team members feel valued in distinct ways: through words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, tangible gifts, or physical touch (think handshakes and high-fives in professional settings). That all-star on your team? She might light up from a handwritten note praising her specific contributions. Your behind-the-scenes problem-solver might feel more appreciated if you help him out by clearing his schedule for an afternoon so he can tackle his backlog. This Thanksgiving, skip the one-size-fits-all approach. Take ten minutes to consider how each team member prefers to be recognized. It's not about grand gestures—it's about matching your gratitude to what actually resonates with each individual. When appreciation lands in someone's preferred language, it doesn't just feel nice. It builds loyalty, boosts morale, and reminds people why they show up every day. That's something worth being thankful for. Curious about what languages are preferred? Click here to learn more!

The Power of Strategic Choice: Making Room for What Matters

By Cathie Leimbach • November 10, 2025
In most organizations, the instinct is to add —more goals, more projects, more meetings. But as Juliet Funt, founder of the Juliet Funt Group, teaches in her Strategic Choice process, real leadership strength lies in deciding what to stop doing . Strategic Choice is the intentional narrowing of priorities—cutting away the clutter so teams can focus on what truly drives results. It’s a disciplined act of letting go: saying no to good ideas so there’s room for the great ones. Funt’s approach challenges leaders to pause, think, and create the mental and operational space their people need to perform at their best. By removing unnecessary tasks and misplaced effort, leaders make room for precision, innovation, and real thinking time. This isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters most. When businesses adopt this mindset, they replace overwhelm with clarity and regain control of their time, energy, and outcomes. For small to mid-sized companies, embracing Strategic Choice can transform busyness into focus—and that focus is where sustainable growth begins. Want a quick visual overview? View Strategic Choice: Making Room for What Matters to see how this process helps leaders focus on what truly drives results.