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.

Communication Gaps

By Cathie Leimbach • February 24, 2026
Most communication problems don’t happen because people aren’t listening. They happen because leaders assume clarity instead of checking for it. “I think they get it” isn’t the same as “they really do.” When people don’t clearly understand what’s expected of them, they make their own assumptions to fill in the gaps. That’s when rework, missed deadlines, and frustration show up. Strong leaders ask better questions: What do you see as the top priority? What does success look like to you? What could get in the way? These don’t slow work down — they prevent costly resets later. Try a simple weekly habit: Think about one key conversation. What did I mean? What did they hear? Where was the gap? Small awareness leads to big gains. 👉 You’re invited to a Leadership Conversation with other leaders to discuss common leadership gaps and how they quietly influence results.

How Managers Drive 70% of Performance

By Cathie Leimbach • February 17, 2026
Most CEOs focus on strategy, systems, and talent. But the biggest driver of performance is already in place: managers. Manager behavior influences about 70% of team engagement and results. What happens in everyday conversations matters more than perks, pay, or policies. Managers either multiply energy or drain it. Clear, supportive managers raise performance. Avoiding, inconsistent managers quietly lower it. The good news? Small habits make a big difference: Clarifying expectations Giving timely feedback Addressing issues early Reinforcing priorities These moments add up. Instead of telling managers to “motivate people,” try asking: Where might expectations be unclear? Where is inconsistency allowed? What conversation is being avoided? When managers improve just a little, results improve a lot. 👉 Join our 60-minute Leadership Conversation to explore how everyday manager habits quietly shape engagement and results.