Creating a Culture of Innovators

Cathie Leimbach • April 15, 2020

Carla Harris, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, intentionally serves her followers. At Leadercast 2019 she shared several of her success factors for being a servant leader. One of her leadership practices is creating a culture of innovation and a change-ready workforce.

Innovation means trying new ways of doing things. And new ways of doing things aren’t always successful. So, why should leaders encourage their people to try something new?

In the world around us there is constant change. If we don’t change to adapt to the changes around us, we will no longer be relevant. High performers who stick to the once-best-way of getting the job done will be surpassed by better ways discovered by innovators.

So why doesn’t everyone innovate? Why do many organizations and teams find themselves entrenched in a rut? Often, they are trapped in a culture of fear. They are criticized for trying something new because some resources were wasted or the results didn’t meet the goals. This is fair criticism if the unsuccessful trial becomes the norm. But when innovative ideas that improve the bottom line are adopted, organizations tend to flourish.

Since most people resist change, how can you inspire your team members to have an innovative mindset? Allow them to take risks and fail. Encourage your team members to approach challenges creatively by celebrating what was learned from failed attempts and by implementing the new ideas that yield enhanced results.

May your organization encourage and celebrate those who reach beyond the status quo.

Inspire your staff to explore, to innovate, and to make new discoveries!

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.
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