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.  

Three Small Shifts That Change Everything

By Cathie Leimbach • March 24, 2026
You don’t need to make big changes in your leadership practices to get better results. Often, it’s small shifts in everyday leadership conversations that quietly change how work gets done. Here are three that work: 1. Make priorities clear Start meetings by stating current priorities. That creates focus right away and helps conversations stay on topic. 2. Ask instead of solve Instead of answering an employee’s questions, ask, “What are your suggestions?” Such questions encourage employee thinking and stronger follow-through. 3. Hold short monthly one-on-one check-ins Meeting with each employee one-on-one allows the regular review of goals, progress, and obstacles. These short conversations surface issues early and keep everyone aligned. These small habits keep teams steady and focused. Your challenge this month: Pick one shift and try it. Notice what changes in clarity, buy-in, or accountability. Sometimes the difference between teams that struggle and teams that move smoothly comes down to a few simple leadership conversations happening consistently. 👉 Join our 60-minute Leadership Conversation on March 30th at 3:00 PM to see how small shifts in everyday leadership conversations can quickly improve clarity, ownership, and results.

From Performance Problems to Possibilities

By Cathie Leimbach • March 17, 2026
Most leaders can list what’s wrong fast: missed deadlines, uneven effort, or teams that seem capable of more. The bigger shift happens when leaders stop asking, “What’s broken?” and start asking, “What’s possible if we lead differently?” Limits like time, budget, and pressure are common. The resulting overwhelm is reduced when leaders get clear about what really matters. Strong leaders respond to these limits by focusing on priorities, simplifying decisions, and actively guiding their teams. Often, the shift begins with better leadership conversations. The right conversations clarify expectations, surface issues early, and help people take ownership before small problems grow into bigger ones. When leaders create space for clear, honest dialogue, teams stop guessing and start moving forward. Performance improves when leaders: Get clear instead of assuming Address issues early through direct conversations Set priorities people can follow Notice and praise progress, don’t comment only on mistakes These small, steady choices create momentum. We often hear questions like: “How do we stop reacting?” “What if our team is capable but inconsistent?” “How do we improve without burning people out?” Those questions point to opportunities for growth. Don’t think of them as failure. 👉 Where might your team be guessing instead of knowing? Identify one gap—and use your next conversation to close it.