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Increasing Profits Requires Skilled Managers

Cathie Leimbach • August 21, 2023

Best way to strengthen your bottom line

Effective managers play a pivotal role in driving increased company profits. Their leadership and management skills directly impact the bottom line either negatively or positively. Millennials and Gen Z employees are not willing to tolerate the emotionally draining workplace conditions that older generations put up with. Also, recent research shows that managers themselves are less engaged than ever. Today, fewer managers are modeling positivity, commitment, and initiative. Many are not inspiring employee productivity. No wonder business owners and senior managers are concerned about declining profits. 


Effective managers are adept communicators, ensuring seamless information flow among individuals and between departments. This alignment helps employees feel respected and informed, increasing their commitment to doing their work well. Also, good communication reduces errors and delays, positively affecting workplace timelines and outcomes. How have your managers been trained in clear, inspiring two-way communication skills?


Also, effective managers nurture talent by offering guidance and growth opportunities. A skilled workforce is more productive and innovative, contributing to enhanced profitability. How often do your managers catch employees doing things right and praise them, kindly coach them to correct underperformance, and encourage them to participate in ongoing learning opportunities?


Prioritizing employee engagement is a hallmark of effective managers. A positive work environment boosts morale, reduces turnover, and increases loyalty. Engaged employees are more likely to invest discretionary effort, directly impacting customer satisfaction, and consequently, company profits. Only 33% of employees are actively engaged, yet, in a few organizations

engagement exceeds 90%? How does your company’s employee engagement rate compare?    


In summary, effective managers significantly contribute to increased company profits through quality communication, talent development, and employee engagement. Although the role of managers is to help employees be highly successful, many have not yet had the opportunity to develop the leadership skills that are essential for cultivating a thriving workplace and driving

financial growth. 


What are you going to do this week to strengthen your managers’ skills so they in turn can lead your workforce effectively, improving your organization’s financial position?


You may wish to learn more about Conversational Management training, or register one of your managers in a unique Lorain County Conversational Leadership workshop.

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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