Connection Extends Trust

Cathie Leimbach • August 23, 2022

“People want to follow, buy from, and be around those who are willing to connect,” says David Horsager. “Trust is all about relationships, and relationships are best built by establishing genuine connection. Develop the trait of gratitude, and you will be a magnet.”

No person is an island. Human beings are meant to live around other human beings. As Stephen R. Covey says, the highest level of human development is interdependence, not independence.  We are at our best when we can enjoy each other’s company and leverage each other’s strengths. 

We earn money when we provide a product or service that benefits others, and we pay for goods and services that others provide to us. When we connect well with other people – when we have positive, appreciative relationships with others – we benefit materially and emotionally. Connecting well with others extends trust and loyalty. We have a sense of security and peace knowing that we are part of a reliable community – that we don’t have to ‘go it alone’.

In the work world, we need to have good relationship skills to connect with customers, workplace colleagues, and vendors. Relationship skills strengthen our capability to be a leader, a follower, and a team member during tough times. Connection confidence and competence are critical to thriving in our interdependent society.

Marta Wilson, a Forbes Books author, suggests improving our interpersonal connections by:

  • Striking up conversations to develop formal and informal relationships with a diversity of coworkers.
  • Looking for small and large ways that we can be unified with coworkers, customers, and suppliers.
  • Recognizing other people’s value. Acknowledge their strengths and achievements. 
  • Setting a positive tone in our work environment to build a culture of support and empowerment. This provides a safe environment to try new things, making it easier for people to grow and change to help their organization achieve its goals and fulfill its mission.

Every day of our lives we rely on others in our family, our workplace, and our community. Positive connections with those around us build trust, which in turn, provides a sense of security and peace, increasing our quality of life.  

The Leadership Problem Most Companies Don’t Address

By Cathie Leimbach • May 19, 2026
Many organizations assume their biggest challenges are rapidly changing technology, customer retention, and employee initiative. But quite often, the root cause is people leadership problems. That’s one reason The Imperfect CEO by Jim Brown is so timely. Releasing today, May 19, the book explores how leaders build healthier organizations not by pretending to have all the answers, but by creating cultures grounded in trust, clarity, accountability, and meaningful conversations. Brian Besanceney, Chair, Board of Orlando Health, Inc., described the book this way: “Through vivid stories, real-world examples, and a model grounded in collaborative culture, Jim Brown gives leaders permission to wrestle honestly with the generational divides, misaligned targets, and cultural fractures that can too often sabotage high-potential organizations.” Greg Apple, CEO of Amgine.ai, connected the book to leadership beyond business alone: “In a fast-moving company, culture is everything. Jim Brown’s principles have helped our team lead with greater clarity and alignment. The Imperfect CEO distills those lessons brilliantly. Every leader should read it.” What stands out to me is how closely this book aligns with the principles behind Conversational Management. Healthy cultures are rarely built through policies alone. They are built through the quality of everyday leadership conversations — how expectations are clarified, how accountability is handled, how feedback is delivered, and how trust is strengthened over time. That’s why leadership development cannot stay theoretical. Culture changes conversation by conversation.  The Imperfect CEO is an easy-to-read business fable that illustrates common people leadership challenges and provides suggestions for overcoming them. Order your copy today and start building healthier leadership conversations inside your organization.

Why Some Companies Attract More Job Applicants Than They Need

By Cathie Leimbach • May 12, 2026
Chick-fil-A restaurants often receive far more job applications than they have openings. This is not luck. It is leadership. People apply where they believe they will be treated well. At Chick-fil-A, employees experience respectful communication, clear expectations, and leaders who support their success. That reputation spreads quickly through word of mouth. Leaders in these restaurants do simple things well. They ask questions before they assume. They listen to employees. They provide encouragement and clear direction. They notice good work and address problems in a helpful way. As a result, employees feel valued. They enjoy coming to work. They tell others. That is what attracts more applicants. Many organizations focus only on hiring. Strong organizations focus on how people are treated after they are hired. When leaders create a workplace where people feel respected, supported, and clear on what success looks like, something powerful happens: People stay. People perform. And more people want to join. This is what leadership really is. Would you like to see several leadership and culture practices Chick-fil-A uses to attract and keep quality employees? Click here to view: How Chick-fil-A Attracts Quality Applicants