From Principle to Practice: Tools That Transform Leadership

Good leadership isn’t just about principles—it’s about practice. Learn how tools like SMART goals, regular check-ins, and strategic alignment transform teams and boost productivity, featuring insights from DEN speaker Jared Rohatinski.

   

As someone who has taught HR and business for many years, I’ve often noticed a pattern: managers usually understand the principles of good leadership, but they struggle with putting those principles into action. Sometimes the best way to see the difference is to compare what happens before and after practical tools are applied. 

Before: 
Managers know their people need clear goals, regular feedback, and recognition. But without tools, teams often end up with vague reviews, inconsistent communication, and little alignment to strategy. Productivity and engagement stall. Research shows that unclear or shifting goals are one of the top drivers of employee disengagement, with only 20% of U.S. workers strongly agreeing that their performance is managed in a way that motivates them (Gallup, 2019). 

After: 
When managers use structured approaches, the results look very different. Employees understand expectations, see how their work connects to company strategy, and receive timely feedback. Specific and challenging goals lead to higher performance in 90% of research studies, and organizations that adopt clear goal-setting frameworks achieve 10–25% higher productivity (Locke and Latham, 2002). 

A few simple, research-backed tools can make this shift possible: 

  • SMART Goals: Make expectations clear and measurable. 
  • Regular Check-ins: Provide timely feedback and course correction. 
  • Recognition Practices: Reinforce desired behaviors and boost engagement. 
  • Clear Linkage to Strategy: Show employees how their work contributes to organizational goals. 

 

That’s exactly what our next DEN speaker, Jared Rohatinski, will share in his talk “Practical Tips & Tools for Successful Business Management.” With experience as a founder, venture capital leader, and COO, Jared will walk us through actionable tools — with templates — that managers can start using right away. 

 

👉 Join us at the DEN event and learn how to move from principle to practice.  

REFERENCES: 

Gallup, "Transform Performance Management," Gallup Workplace Insights. Online. Available: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236441/transform-performance-management.aspx. Accessed: 9/9/2025. 

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American psychologist, 57(9), 705. 

 
 
 

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