5 Live Leadership Development Experiences

Cathie Leimbach • June 25, 2024

Since leadership is rooted in human interaction, live leadership development experiences are essential in building highly effective leaders. Let’s take a look at five live methods that can significantly benefit stressed and burned-out leaders by providing support and skill-building opportunities.


1. Coaching: Personalized coaching offers leaders a confidante to share and work through their struggles, helping them manage stress and improve their leadership capabilities.


2. Developmental Experiences and Exposure: Job shadowing and leading project teams provide hands-on experience, allowing leaders to build essential skills before stepping into formal leadership roles.


3. Training Programs: Comprehensive training lays a solid foundation for effective leadership, equipping leaders with the necessary tools and techniques to manage teams successfully.


4. Operational Knowledge: Understanding how work gets done is also crucial. Leaders need to grasp the intricacies of their organization’s processes to lead efficiently and make informed decisions.


5. Mentorship: Mentors who share their personal experiences offer valuable insights, enriching a leader’s development journey with practical wisdom and guidance.



A variety of live experiences builds leadership knowledge and competence, preparing leaders for real-world application and enhancing their overall effectiveness.

Looking Ahead to a Fruitful 2026

By Cathie Leimbach • December 30, 2025
As the New Year approaches, it’s a natural time to look forward and ask what you want the next chapter to bring. One simple way to reflect to ask yourself three questions to create a stronger year ahead, what should you: Stop?, Continue?, and Start? Stop focusing energy on habits, meetings, or expectations that no longer serve you or your team. This might mean letting go of outdated processes, unnecessary urgency, or ways of working that drain momentum without adding value. Continue the practices that helped you gain traction this year. Think about what worked—perhaps clear communication, strong collaboration, consistent follow-through, or time spent developing people. These are the behaviors worth protecting and reinforcing. Start being intentional about what will move you forward in 2026. This could include setting clearer priorities, investing in leadership development, building healthier team rhythms, or creating space for innovation and growth. Taking time to reflect now helps you enter the New Year with purpose rather than pressure. Small, thoughtful shifts can create meaningful impact over time. Ready to turn reflection into action?  👉 View our Stop • Continue • Start Worksheet for a simple, practical way to reset priorities, build on what’s working, and step into 2026 with clarity and momentum.

Take a Moment for Joy

By Cathie Leimbach • December 23, 2025
As the year comes to a close, it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: What brought you joy this year at work and in life? Joy doesn’t always arrive in big, headline moments. Often, it shows up quietly—in meaningful conversations, shared laughter, progress made, lessons learned, or the steady presence of people who support us. Sometimes joy is found in growth, sometimes in rest, and sometimes in simply getting through a challenging season with resilience and grace. Take a few minutes to reflect. What moments made you smile? When did you feel most connected? For what are you grateful? This reflection isn’t about ignoring the hard parts of the year. It’s about honoring the bright spots that sustained you through them. Recognizing joy helps us close the year with perspective and open the next one with hope. As the holidays approach, give yourself permission to slow down, savor meaningful moments, and share joy with others—through kindness, gratitude, and presence.  May this season be filled with moments that lift your spirit, and may you carry that joy with you into the year ahead. 👉 Take a moment to pause this season—view the Reflecting on Joy one-pager and reflect on what brought meaning to your work and life this year. Wishing you a truly joy-filled Christmas season .