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.

Better Leadership Starts with Belief

By Cathie Leimbach • October 7, 2025
Great leaders don’t just manage tasks—they build people up. Christine Caine’s leadership advice reminds us that believing in others is one of the most powerful things we can do. When leaders believe in people, they help unlock potential that might otherwise stay hidden. It’s not about perfection—it’s about possibility. Believing the best of others means choosing trust over suspicion. Instead of assuming someone will fail, assume they’ll rise. This mindset creates a culture of encouragement, not fear. People work harder when they know their leader sees their strengths and believes they can grow. Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about helping others shine. That starts with listening, showing respect, and giving people room to learn. Mistakes will happen—but leaders who believe in their team use those moments to teach, not tear down. Christine Caine’s approach is simple but powerful: speak life, not doubt. Expect excellence, but lead with grace. When leaders believe in people and believe the best of them, they build teams that are confident, creative, and committed. In the end, leadership is less about control and more about trust. And trust begins with belief in people. Want a quick visual summary? Check out Better Leadership Starts with Belief , for a clear, inspiring breakdown you can share with your team.

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