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Clarity Builds Trust

Cathie Leimbach • July 12, 2022

“People trust the clear and mistrust the ambiguous,” says David Horsager. “Everything of value is built on trust, … and the root of most problems is a lack of trust.”

The foundation on which trust is built is clarity. We don’t trust an organization to be ethical if we aren’t clear on its values and how it serves its customers. We don’t trust that our manager will be satisfied with our work if we aren’t clear on what she expects us to accomplish. We don’t trust that our unexpected medical expenses will be covered by insurance if we aren’t clear about our workplace benefits.

A clear vision and mission supported by clarity around core values unifies team members. When everyone is working towards the same outcomes and is committed to the same standards, they are more likely to trust that their colleagues will fulfill their roles.

When employees know precisely what they are expected to accomplish each day and are clear about how to get the desired results, they trust that they can succeed and their efforts will be valued. This builds workplace morale.

When managers and peers acknowledge what an individual is doing well and give specific feedback on how they could improve their performance, employees know what to keep doing and what changes to make to be even more effective. This increases a team member’s trust in having a secure job.

On the other hand, when employees aren’t certain which work is most important this week or today and don’t feel confident that they are doing their job correctly, they may worry about the security of their job. They may not trust that their supervisor cares about their success at work. This often decreases energy, productivity, workplace satisfaction, and attendance.  In turn, it weakens morale and trust.

Achieving clarity requires leaders to agree on the organization’s focus and priorities and put their decisions in writing. Expectations must be communicated to everyone involved, ideally both orally and in writing. It is best when supervisors ask employees daily to state their current priorities to ensure accurate communication.

Leadership clarity is the foundation of employee productivity and workplace success. How clearly are you communicating? What level of trust are you generating in your organization?

The Four Cs of Effective Conversation

By Cathie Leimbach • February 18, 2025
Based on “Four Cs of Effective Conversation” - The Ohio State University Leadership Center. Ever walked out of a meeting thinking everything was settled, only to realize later that key actions didn’t happen, or alignment was off? That’s because effective conversations require four key elements: clarity, candor, commitment, and completion. Clarity: Make Sure Everyone’s on the Same Page Miscommunication is one of the biggest productivity killers. It’s easy to assume people understand what’s being said, but without clear expectations, mistakes happen. Take the time to check for understanding—what’s obvious to you might not be obvious to everyone else. Candor: Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say Honest, direct conversations build strong teams. When people hold back their real thoughts or concerns, issues fester, and progress stalls. Creating a culture of candor—where people feel safe to speak openly—makes teams more effective and relationships stronger. Commitment: Get Specific About Next Steps A vague “I’ll handle it” often leads to dropped balls. When commitments are specific—who will do what by when—things actually get done. Leaders sometimes hesitate to ask for deadlines, fearing it feels like micromanagement, but clear commitments drive accountability without overstepping. Completion: Don’t Move On Too Soon Before wrapping up a discussion, check that everything’s been addressed. Did we answer all key questions? Does everyone know what happens next? Ensuring a topic is fully covered prevents confusion later and keeps teams aligned.  Mastering these four Cs can turn routine workplace conversations into powerful tools for productivity and collaboration.

Improve Leadership to Boost Workplace Productivity

By Cathie Leimbach • February 11, 2025
Today's workplaces are changing, and managers play a key role in increasing workplace morale and productivity. Research shows that managers impact 70% of what affects how engaged and effective employees are. Surveys show many employees are dissatisfied. They say that expectations are unclear, they don’t feel respected by management, they don’t get enough training, and they don't see how their work matters. With the increasing number of seniors and fewer people in the workforce, increased productivity is essential. Strong leadership is more important than ever. Managers need to develop skills to help their teams succeed. This includes: • Setting clear goals, • Showing appreciation, • Providing good training, and • Helping employees see the purpose of their work. The innovative Conversational Management program helps managers build these leadership skills. It focuses on the leadership practices which boost engagement and productivity. Managers can participate in a virtual Test Drive to see how these strategies can improve teamwork and performance. If you want better results and productivity, REGISTER HERE to join a Test Drive and learn about this highly effective leadership approach! 
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