Tips for Business Success from a Fashion Designer

Cathie Leimbach • September 7, 2021

Jerry Lorenzo, founder and owner of the Fear of God luxury casual clothing line, is an intentional leader. His faith and his values guide every decision. His attention to ethically serving his customers’ preferences positioned him for a sneaker partnership with Nike. His belief that “collaboration works best when all parties see the future the same way” led to him leaving Nike and partnering with Adidas.


Here are some of his principles for life success that may inspire you to fulfill your vision and experience your definition of success in your career and personal life.


1.      Strive to be the same person in every part of your life.

2.     Have a clear vision to guide you.

3.     Be disciplined. Choose what you want most in life over what you want now.

4.     To energize creativity, start with the problem.

5.     When feeling stuck do something that sparks options, such as read, watch a video, or have a conversation.

6.     Keep the vision at the front of your mind, but focus on the actions for the week.

7.     Be humble when there are disagreements. Ensure you are focused on solving the problem, not on getting your way.

8.     Hire people who believe in the organization’s vision.

9.     Collaborate with people and organizations that see the future the same way you do.

10.   Pray for help from God and listen for his response.


Jerry offers a lot for us to consider!  Which of these success tips are already part of your way of life?  Which would you like to aspire to?  Pick the one that you would most like to become a habit for you.


Which piece of Jerry Lorenzo’s advice will you start to follow this week?  I'd love to hear what you are going to do today or tomorrow to achieve more of your life's purpose.

Culture Is Built in Conversations

By Cathie Leimbach • June 2, 2026
Most leaders want stronger culture. Less silo thinking. Better accountability. More ownership. Healthier teamwork. Higher engagement. But culture rarely changes because of posters, slogans, or mission statements. It changes through thousands of conversations leaders have every week. That’s one reason Jim Brown’s book, The Imperfect CEO , stands out. Rather than focusing on leadership image, the book centers on the real work of building trust-centered organizations. Shari Seckler, CEO of PenFinancial Credit Union, wrote:  “This book shows why collaboration and culture aren't soft – they're the backbone of lasting success.” Marc Jeffreys, President of Revision University, described it this way: “Jim Brown’s framework helps leaders foster environments where trust grows, purpose strengthens, and teams move forward together.” In our Conversational Management work, we consistently see that culture is shaped by how leaders handle everyday moments: difficult feedback missed expectations recognition conflict coaching conversations accountability discussions collaborative decision-making Employees usually decide whether they trust leadership based on these interactions far more than company messaging. That’s why books like The Imperfect CEO matter. They remind leaders that organizational health is not built through perfection. It is built through clarity, humility, consistency, and meaningful conversations repeated over time. If you lead people, this book deserves your attention. Order your copy today.

The Futility of Leadership Perfection

By Cathie Leimbach • May 26, 2026
Many leaders quietly carry the pressure that they are supposed to have every answer. Be decisive. Stay strong. Never show uncertainty. Keep pushing forward no matter what. The problem is that approach often creates distance inside organizations instead of trust. In The Imperfect CEO , which was released on May 19, Jim Brown challenges the idea that leadership effectiveness comes from appearing flawless. Instead, he makes the case that healthy organizations are built by leaders willing to lead with clarity, humility, accountability, and honesty. Larry Siff, CEO of Neptune Advisors and C-Level Community, shared this perspective: “In The Imperfect CEO , Jim Brown doesn’t shy away from the messy reality of being a real person in charge, yet he shows how that honesty becomes a source of organizational health.” Edna Lopez, former Senior Executive at Gateway and Amway, wrote: “In every organization I've led, one truth has been constant: culture determines whether strategy ever sees daylight. The Imperfect CEO gets to the heart of that reality.” That connection between leadership and culture is exactly why the ideas in this book matter. In Conversational Management, we often see organizations struggle , not because leaders lack intelligence or effort, but because communication patterns quietly create confusion, defensiveness, disengagement, or fear. The healthiest organizations usually are not led by leaders who are aiming for perfection. They are led by leaders who know perfection is elusive. They acknowledge their limitations and the benefits of team collaboration. They humbly create honest conversations, clear expectations, accountability, and trust — even when it feels uncomfortable.  The wait is over for a down-to-earth book that dares to reveal common leadership imperfections and provides support for enhancing leadership impact! The Imperfect CEO is now available!