Workplace Seating Matters

Cathie Leimbach • December 6, 2022

When employees express concern about their workplace environment, managers often tell them to focus on their own work and ignore what others are doing. A recent study by Kellogg suggests that this advice reduces company performance.

They found that those who work within 25 feet of high performer increase their productivity by 15%. And, those who start working beside a low performer have a drop of 30% in their productivity.

High performers tend to be more positive about their work so their brain sends positive vibes into the space around them. Low performers who tend to be more negative about work send out negative vibes. 

Good and bad vibes are airwaves with different wavelengths. When they enter someone else’s head as they move around a room or space, they increase or decrease the average wavelength of the vibrations in everyone’s heads, increasing or decreasing their positivity and productivity.

This study suggests that those who are working with high performers can produce 45% more results than those working around low performers. What action might you take the next time one of your employees mentions that their workmates are interfering with their performance? 

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.

Why Engagement Isn’t About Perks

By Cathie Leimbach • February 10, 2026
When engagement drops, many organizations reach for perks—rewards, programs, or incentives. These can create a short lift, but they rarely solve the real issue. Engagement starts with expectations. Most people want to do good work. What gets in the way isn’t motivation—it’s uncertainty. When priorities shift, roles feel unclear, or success means different things to different leaders, people disengage quietly. Leaders often don’t realize they’re contributing to this. Vague direction, inconsistent follow-through, or assuming “they already know” leaves teams guessing. Over time, guessing turns into frustration—and frustration turns into disengagement. Strong engagement cultures focus on leadership basics: Clear priorities Shared definitions of success Aligned expectations Consistent reinforcement When expectations are clear, people move with confidence. They take ownership, collaborate better, and stay engaged because they know where they’re headed. Perks can support engagement—but only after clarity is in place. 👉 Read our full article on Why Engagement Starts With Expectations to turn clarity into a real advantage.