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Compassion Improves Trust

Cathie Leimbach • August 9, 2022

“People put faith in those who care beyond themselves,” says David Horsager. “And feeling cared for increases trust.”

Compassion can be defined as “concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others” or “a kind friendly presence in the face of what’s difficult”. Compassion is having patience and giving support to others who are experiencing tough circumstances or situations. 

How considerate and understanding are we when those around us aren’t perfect? When they hurt or disappoint us? When they experience a setback or difficulty in their life? We appreciate when others don’t add to our troubles when we are already down. How much grace do we show others when the tables are turned? 

Compassion enables us to understand ourselves better and others better, and the more we understand others the more we will want to relieve their suffering. Here are a few ways we can develop the ability to see things from someone else's perspective and offer them support.

  • Ask them open-ended questions to understand their challenges and how they are feeling? It can be as simple as, “You seem down today. How can I help you?”
  • Practice active listening. This includes listening to what they are telling you without interrupting, making eye contact, asking questions to increase your understanding, and repeating back to them what you think you heard to check if you are hearing their message.
  • Offer to help them, even in a small way. Take them a meal, drive them to an appointment, clean their house, or give their child a ride to soccer practice.

We appreciate others who don’t make our difficult circumstances more difficult. When others’ help us handle the trials of life, it builds our trust in them. What do we to show compassion to others, to help reduce or overcome their difficult circumstances? Practicing compassion is an important factor in being a person worthy of trust. 

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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