Want More Engaged and Productive Employees? Set Clear Expectations.

Cathie Leimbach • December 14, 2021

Remember when you had a coach, teacher, mentor, parent, friend who believed in you 100%? Their total belief and high expectations for what you could do enabled you to perform better than you imagined, consistently and confidently.

 

Believing in people lifts them up. Cheering on your employees, giving them the support they need to grow, and the "can do it" message will increase productivity and employee engagement. 

 

Interestingly, a recent Harvard Business study found that 69% of managers reported being uncomfortable communicating with their employees, and more than one-third were uncomfortable giving direct feedback.

 

Management expert, Ken Blanchard, taught the importance of catching people doing things right. Rather than just saying "thanks," be specific about the contributions your employee or team made. And guess what? You will get a lot more of precisely what you want as a manager.

 

Your employees will always move towards someone who encourages and away from anyone who diminishes them. Stephen Covey taught that making deposits into your employees' emotional and professional well-being builds trust and increases performance. 

 

Effective managers empower their teams by pointing out their strengths and partnering together to develop their strengths and opportunities for growth. Imagine how your employees will feel when they feel you believe in them and are enthusiastically supported. Here are some best practices:

  • Connect your "why" to your employee's "Why".  Your employees need to know why what they do matters. More importantly, they need to find a sense of purpose in your organization's mission. Treat your employees like they make a difference, and they will.
  • Be clear. Set clear expectations and goals. Meet with each of your direct reports periodically to make sure they understand what "good performance" is. And put it in writing so that it is easy to keep track of what has or hasn't been communicated.
  • Co-Create Goals. Don't dictate. Co-creating goals and expectations will create higher buy-in and more significant accountability. Having a conversation with each of your employees will empower and support them to meet and exceed expectations.  
  • Provide C.A.R.E feedback. Continuous. Accessible. Regular. Empathetic. Schedule regular meetings continually. Be responsive, approachable, and empathetic. You have a unique opportunity to unleash the most significant contributions of others.
  • Get out of their way. Develop agreed-to expectations with each employee. Give them the support they need. And then let them do their thing. Trust that they can solve the problem, find the solution, take care of the customer, innovate and inspire other team members. 

 

As managers, you can make huge deposits into your employees' confidence and performance. Be the coach and mentor that helps your team members thrive and grow to do the very best they can. The result? Higher performance and higher engagement. 

Connectional Intelligence: The Power Skill Behind Big Results

By Cathie Leimbach • December 9, 2025
In Erica Dhawan’s book, Get Big Things Done, she defines Connectional Intelligence as the ability to combine knowledge, networks, and relationships to drive meaningful results. In today’s busy workplace, it’s not just what you know—it’s how well you connect that turns good ideas into big outcomes. Strong Connectional Intelligence within a team strengthens workplace morale and productivity by impacting four key attributes of high-performance cultures: Value Visibly – People perform better when they know their contributions matter. Leaders who highlight strengths, acknowledge effort, and celebrate progress create a culture where great work becomes contagious. Communicate Carefully – In an age of nonstop messages, clarity is a competitive advantage. Thoughtful communication reduces confusion, prevents conflict, and ensures that everyone moves forward with shared understanding. Collaborate Confidently – Connectional Intelligence flourishes when people feel empowered to contribute. Confident collaboration means inviting diverse perspectives, leveraging individual superpowers, and creating space for smart problem-solving. Trust Totally – Trust is the anchor of all high-performing teams. When leaders show reliability, transparency, and empathy, people take risks, share ideas, and stay aligned toward common goals. Connectional Intelligence helps teams innovate faster, break down silos, and accomplish what truly matters. Want to learn more? Visit Erica Dhawan’s website to explore her full body of work and deepen your understanding of Connectional Intelligence.

Psychological Safety Isn’t About Smooth Sailing — It’s About Real Growth

By Cathie Leimbach • December 2, 2025
When people hear “psychological safety,” they often imagine a workplace where everything feels easy and conflict-free. But that’s not what true psychological safety is — and it’s not what high-performing teams need. As leadership expert R. Michael Anderson points out, work and life include tough days, unexpected problems, and moments that stretch us. A psychologically safe workplace doesn’t remove those realities. Instead, it gives people the confidence and support to face them. A safe workplace is one where employees can struggle without fear of embarrassment… try new skills without being put down… ask questions, make mistakes, and keep moving forward. It’s a place where people know their leader is behind them — not by preventing discomfort, but by helping them learn through it. Psychological safety isn’t about coddling or creating a predictable bubble. Real safety looks like this: · You may hear difficult feedback, but it helps you grow. · You are encouraged to take risks, and supported when you slip. · You are stretched beyond your comfort zone, and guided along the way. When leaders create this balance — support plus stretch — people build resilience, confidence, and higher performance. To explore more of these ideas, visit R. Michael Anderson's website .