5 Ideas for Sharing Kindness

Cathie Leimbach • September 3, 2024

In today's fast-paced work environments, where deadlines loom and pressures mount, kindness can sometimes take a backseat. However, fostering a culture of kindness at work is not only beneficial for individuals' well-being but also for overall productivity and morale. Here are five simple ways to show kindness in the workplace:

1.     Check-In with Colleagues: Take the time to notice when a colleague seems down or overwhelmed. A simple check-in can make a world of difference and show that you care about their well-being.

2.     Be Understanding and Tolerant: When others make mistakes, respond with empathy and understanding. Instead of blaming or criticizing, offer support and help them learn from the experience.

3.     Invite Someone to Lunch or Coffee: Extend a friendly invitation to a coworker who may be feeling isolated or left out. A casual lunch or coffee break can provide an opportunity to build connections and strengthen relationships.

4.     Share Praise: When you notice a colleague's hard work or achievement, don't hesitate to share it with their boss or team. Recognizing others' contributions publicly not only boosts morale but also fosters a culture of appreciation.

5.     Ask for Others' Perspectives: Actively seek out the opinions and perspectives of your coworkers. Show that you value their input and consider their viewpoints in decision-making processes.



By incorporating these simple acts of kindness into our daily work routines, we can create a more supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

If Employees Aren't Growing, Performance Isn't Either

By Cathie Leimbach • June 9, 2026
Most leaders want better performance. They want employees who take ownership, solve problems, adapt to change, and consistently deliver results. Yet Gallup reports that only 31% of employees are engaged at work. That means nearly 7 out of 10 employees are not fully applying their talents, effort, and initiative to their roles. The question leaders should be asking isn't simply: "Why aren't employees performing?" It's: "Are we developing people to perform at their best?" Gallup's latest research suggests many organizations may be falling behind. Nearly 6 in 10 CHROs say employee development is one of the areas where their organization struggles most. At the same time, fewer than half of U.S. employees have participated in training or education to build new skills for their current job. That gap creates risk. As AI, technology, customer expectations, and job responsibilities continue to evolve, employees cannot meet changing expectations with outdated skills. The impact is especially significant among high performers. Gallup found that organizations providing fewer development opportunities are more likely to lose their best people. The good news is that development doesn't require expensive programs or lengthy workshops. It starts with leaders who consistently: • Connect strengths to daily work • Clarify expectations • Provide meaningful feedback • Coach performance • Hold growth-focused conversations  One of the most effective ways leaders can support employee development is through regular 1-on-1 meetings with each direct report. These conversations create opportunities to coach, remove obstacles, align priorities, and discuss growth before problems become bigger issues. For practical ideas, read our resource: 5 Factors in Successful 1-on-1s . Organizations that thrive won't simply expect more from employees. They'll develop people so they can contribute more. Because when employees grow, performance grows with them.

Culture Is Built in Conversations

By Cathie Leimbach • June 2, 2026
Most leaders want stronger culture. Less silo thinking. Better accountability. More ownership. Healthier teamwork. Higher engagement. But culture rarely changes because of posters, slogans, or mission statements. It changes through thousands of conversations leaders have every week. That’s one reason Jim Brown’s book, The Imperfect CEO , stands out. Rather than focusing on leadership image, the book centers on the real work of building trust-centered organizations. Shari Seckler, CEO of PenFinancial Credit Union, wrote:  “This book shows why collaboration and culture aren't soft – they're the backbone of lasting success.” Marc Jeffreys, President of Revision University, described it this way: “Jim Brown’s framework helps leaders foster environments where trust grows, purpose strengthens, and teams move forward together.” In our Conversational Management work, we consistently see that culture is shaped by how leaders handle everyday moments: difficult feedback missed expectations recognition conflict coaching conversations accountability discussions collaborative decision-making Employees usually decide whether they trust leadership based on these interactions far more than company messaging. That’s why books like The Imperfect CEO matter. They remind leaders that organizational health is not built through perfection. It is built through clarity, humility, consistency, and meaningful conversations repeated over time. If you lead people, this book deserves your attention. Order your copy today.