Communicate Your Assumptions

Cathie Leimbach • June 17, 2020

Synergy is a great benefit of effective teamwork. By drawing on each other’s strengths and experiences, the group generally achieves more than if they had worked separately.

Teams may get their best results when:

  • the team goals are clearly communicated,
  • the team members share their resources, knowledge, and ideas with each other,
  • team members listen to each other and ask clarifying questions, and
  • every team member is engaged in the discussion process.

When there are differences of opinion in a group, there can be a tendency to sweep the ‘elephant’ under the carpet. The big touchy subject is put aside and, on the surface, life goes on as if there is nothing to discuss. This can lead to undercurrents with uneasy whispers causing angst and damaging morale. We may fear that opening ‘the can of worms’ will cause a dangerous explosion that could increase the workplace tension.

How can team members surface their different perspectives so they understand where each other is coming from without lighting a fuse? Many teams schedule a simulation activity which requires them to complete an unfamiliar group task, develop a strategy together, and debrief their process and results. During the simulation, individuals tend to behave in a way that mirrors their normal approach. The group discussion yields insights into our own and other’s habits and positions us to work together more effectively. We may even become comfortable addressing ‘the elephant in the room’.

Arrange for a group at your workplace to participate in a simulation such as ‘The Search for the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine™’. You will come away with a list of insights to improve both your workplace productivity and your job satisfaction.

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.

The Futility of Leadership Perfection

By Cathie Leimbach • May 26, 2026
Many leaders quietly carry the pressure that they are supposed to have every answer. Be decisive. Stay strong. Never show uncertainty. Keep pushing forward no matter what. The problem is that approach often creates distance inside organizations instead of trust. In The Imperfect CEO , which was released on May 19, Jim Brown challenges the idea that leadership effectiveness comes from appearing flawless. Instead, he makes the case that healthy organizations are built by leaders willing to lead with clarity, humility, accountability, and honesty. Larry Siff, CEO of Neptune Advisors and C-Level Community, shared this perspective: “In The Imperfect CEO , Jim Brown doesn’t shy away from the messy reality of being a real person in charge, yet he shows how that honesty becomes a source of organizational health.” Edna Lopez, former Senior Executive at Gateway and Amway, wrote: “In every organization I've led, one truth has been constant: culture determines whether strategy ever sees daylight. The Imperfect CEO gets to the heart of that reality.” That connection between leadership and culture is exactly why the ideas in this book matter. In Conversational Management, we often see organizations struggle , not because leaders lack intelligence or effort, but because communication patterns quietly create confusion, defensiveness, disengagement, or fear. The healthiest organizations usually are not led by leaders who are aiming for perfection. They are led by leaders who know perfection is elusive. They acknowledge their limitations and the benefits of team collaboration. They humbly create honest conversations, clear expectations, accountability, and trust — even when it feels uncomfortable.  The wait is over for a down-to-earth book that dares to reveal common leadership imperfections and provides support for enhancing leadership impact! The Imperfect CEO is now available!